OBJECTIVE Uraemia as a result of malignant ureteric obstruction is a recognised event in those with advanced malignancy, usually of pelvic origin, which, if left untreated, is quickly a terminal event. Palliative decompression of the obstructed urinary system, either by percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), ureteric stent or a combination of both is a recognised method of improving renal function, with presumed low morbidity. The aims of the study were to assess whether PCN placement in malignant ureteric obstruction provided any additional survival benefit or patient morbidity. METHODS The case notes of 32 patients with a mean age of 68.1 years (16 male, 16 female) who underwent PCN drainage for malignant ureteric obstruction were retrospectively analysed. Data on the site of primary malignancy, mode of presentation, improvement in renal function, median survival, conversion to internal ureteric stents and intervention-related complications were collected for analysis. RESULTS The median survival following PCN insertion was 87 days and was unrelated to the patient's age and renal function. Those patients with primary underlying gynaecological malignancies appeared to survive almost 4 times as long as those with underlying primary bladder cancer. Renal function took a mean of 16.8 days to reach a nadir. Almost 79% of patients were able to be discharged from hospital--each patient, however, being re-admitted back to hospital on average 1.6 times prior to their death through PCN or internal ureteric stent related events. Retrospective "useful quality of life" was seen in less than half of the patient cohort. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of malignant ureteric obstruction, palliative percutaneous urinary diversion may be performed and is effective in improving renal function. However, long-term survival is limited and should, therefore, be performed only when the views and wishes of the patient and carers are taken into account and if there is a definitive treatment plan available for the patient as quality of life can be suboptimal.