Kidney surgery with or without lymph node removal for upper urinary tract cancer

This trial is comparing two surgical approaches for treating upper tract urothelial carcinoma, a rare cancer that starts in the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. All participants will have their affected kidney and ureter removed, but some will also have nearby lymph nodes removed during the same surgery, while others will not. Researchers want to find out whether removing the lymph nodes helps prevent cancer from coming back.

Currently, doctors sometimes remove lymph nodes during this surgery as a precaution, even when imaging doesn't show signs of cancer spread, but no large research study has proven whether this extra step actually helps patients live longer or stay cancer-free. This trial will provide clear answers about whether this additional surgery is worth doing.