Abstract
BACKGROUND: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy primarily occurring in the upper urinary tract, including the renal pelvis and ureter. Despite recent advancements in treatment strategies, the diagnosis and management of this disease remain challenging. This study proposes a systematic bibliometric evaluation of collaborative networks and scholarly impact across national, institutional, individual author, and journal levels within UTUC research. The goal is to evaluate the evolution of knowledge structure clusters and identify trending topics and emerging issues. METHODS: A topic-based search strategy was employed to retrieve articles and reviews related to UTUC from the Web of Science core database bibliometric analysis was conducted using Citespace and VOSviewer. RESULTS: This investigation analyzed 3621 publications spanning 83 countries, where American and Japanese researchers demonstrated the highest productivity. Publications related to UTUC have been increasing year by year. The primary research institutions include the Medical University of Vienna, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kaosiung Medical University, and Université de Montréal. Publication analysis reveals "UROL ONCOL-SEMIN ORI" as the predominant outlet for article dissemination in this field, while citation networks identify "Journal of Urology" as the most influential reference source. The author network encompasses 14,918 researchers, among whom Shariat SF, Rouprêt M, Margulis V, and Lotan Y have shown exceptional productivity, with Rouprêt M achieving particular prominence through co-citation frequency. Through co-citation analysis, a macro sketch and micro characterization of the entire knowledge domain are achieved. Current and developing research areas include FGFR3 mutations, molecular immunotherapy targeting, and tumor localization. "Pembrolizumab," "multicenter," "survival," and "transitional-cell carcinoma" may also represent new trends and focal points for future research. CONCLUSION: The analysis reveals a clear trajectory toward more rigorous scientific inquiry in UTUC investigations, with particular emphasis on developing standardized protocols for tumor localization, surgical approaches, and novel treatment modalities. This evolving paradigm reflects the discipline's dedication to advancing therapeutic precision while minimizing risks, suggesting significant potential for subsequent research to refine clinical decision-making and improve prognostic results.