Primary Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Bladder – A Rare Diagnostic Entity

doi:10.33696/cancerbiology.2.023

Abstract

Primary small cell carcinoma of the bladder is very rare pathological entity, follows an aggressive course and carries poor prognosis. The literature carrying these articles are scarce and due to which it poses a diagnostic challenge to the radiologist and urologists. Herein, we present a case of small cell carcinoma of urinary bladder in a 75-year-old male patient initially reported as poorly differentiated urothelial carcinoma on transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimen to emphasize its rarity as well as the role of immunohistochemistry to differentiate between the two.

Highlights

Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a rare histological type shows poor differentiation and behaves in a highly aggressive manner
Urothelial cell origin, stem cell theory and malignant transformation of neuroendocrine cell of urinary bladder lay the hypothesis of its pathogenesis [1]
A 75-year-old male patient presented with gross haematuria and pelvic pain since a month

Summary

Case History

A 75-year-old male patient presented with gross haematuria and pelvic pain since a month. He is a chronic smoker with 40-pack year index. Ultrasonography showed 2 × 2 cm broad based solid heteroechoic mass along the left lateral wall of urinary bladder. His urine examination revealed presence of occult blood with microscopic examination of 3-4 RBC/ HPF. Other laboratory parameters were within normal limits Following which he underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumour. Primary Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Bladder – A Rare Diagnostic Entity. Morphologic and immunohistochemistry features were consistent with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with >95% of neuroendocrine component. The patient was planned for radical cystectomy, for which he refused after being informed on the associated morbidity risk and eventually succumbed to the disease 2 months after the diagnosis

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion