Canadian guidelines for postoperative surveillance of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Postoperative recurrences are common. The primary aims of postoperative surveillance for UTUC are to identify urothelial recurrences, de novo tumours of the urin-ary tract, and distant metastases at early stages when they may be amenable to treatment. The rarity of the disease, as well as the heterogeneity of treatments, complicates the task of developing a standard follow-up protocol. Multiple studies report on postoperative recurrence and prognosis for UTUC. By performing a systematic literature review, we generated an evidence-based consensus proto-col for the surveillance of patients after surgery for UTUC based on the predictors, timing and locations of recur -rences reported in the literature. The decision to provide neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatments is beyond the scope of this guideline and will not be reviewed. Wherever possible, the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation are noted using the modified Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine system.