23. Neoplastic myeloid cells in voided urinary cytology in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (aml): a case report

Abstract

Background/Aims The typical role of cytology in urine analysis is in the detection of urothelial bladder malignancies. We report a case of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with involvement of the bladder. The aim was to review the cytomorphological features of lymphoma/leukaemia in voided urine cytology. We also highlight the importance of Giemsa staining in appreciating the cytomorphological features of neoplastic myeloid cells. Case report A 73-year-old man presented to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with chest pain. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and a bladder mass. Methods The initial urine samples were received fresh. After centrifugation, smears were prepared from the urinary sediment. Discussion Acute leukaemia can result in leukaemic infiltration of many organs, but leukaemic infiltration of the bladder is rare. The morphology of the tumour cells was highly suggestive of a haematological malignancy. Giemsa stain is rarely used routinely, if at all, in most laboratories dealing with urine specimens. This patient demonstrates the value of urinary cytology in diagnosing non-transitional cell carcinoma.