OBJECTIVE To assess survival length and quality of life in patients with a percutaneous nephrostomy (PN) for malignant tumour and postrenal anuria. METHODS Case records were analysed of 50 patients (39 men, eleven women; mean age 65.6 years) with postrenal anuria due to malignancy who had undergone ultrasound-directed PN under local anaesthesia for urinary drainage. Particular attention was paid to the course of the disease from nephrostomy until death. RESULTS Survival time after PN ranged from 4 days to 16 months, averaging 4.3 months. 26 patients (52%) had died after 3 months, 41 (82%) after 6 months. The patients had spent on average 44.5% of their remaining life in hospital. After an initial improvement in their state, cancer-produced pain and complications soon set in and often required operative intervention. CONCLUSIONS The achieved prolongation of survival time did not always meet the patient's own wishes. Detailed explanation and information to patient and family before PN is therefore urgently required.