Incidental Finding of Bladder Carcinoma during Stone Removal: A Rare Correlation and Upcoming Physician Challenge

Abstract

Vesical calculi and bladder carcinomas have rarely been correlated and addressed in the literature. Recent publications have noted an association between the two as an upcoming physician challenge. Vesical calculi are now categorized as an etiological factor in bladder carcinogenesis. Chronic bladder stones appear to play a pivotal role in the disruption of the bladder mucosal epithelium. Bladder carcinomas' findings tend to be incidental during stone removal; multiple large-scale studies are needed to identify dysplastic changes at an earlier stage. Screening biopsies and cystoscopies aid in the preliminary diagnosis of bladder tumors. Despite vesical calculi comprising 5% of the cases of urinary tract stones, no effective rationale has been developed to prevent this lethal complication of prolonged stone disease. The size and weight of calculi have been identified as determinants of neoplastic changes. Urinary tract infections have been strongly correlated with the concomitant occurrence of bladder stones. Repeated UTIs may warrant the need to diagnose the presence of calculus and initiate therapeutic intervention. Active surveillance will likely be beneficial for patients with a chronic history of frequent UTIs and bladder stone disease.