Urachal cancer-current concepts of a rare cancer

Urachal adenocarcinoma in an adolescent boy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Urachal carcinoma is an extremely rare malignant tumor originating from the urachus. Urachal adenocarcinoma has never been reported in patients under 20 years of age. In this case, we describe a 15-year-old patient with urachal adenocarcinoma and propose possible risk factors.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient presented with hematuria for two months and dysuria for one month, and had a history of smoking and alcohol consumption for three years. Ultrasonography showed an irregular mass on the anterior wall of the bladder. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a pedicled soft tissue mass measuring 2.6×2.4 cm within the bladder, showing significant enhancement. Partial cystectomy was conducted, and a histopathological diagnosis of urachal adenocarcinoma (T2N0M0) was made. During eight months of follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic with no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Urachal remnants may lead to urinary symptoms and the development of urachal carcinoma. A history of smoking and alcohol consumption could be possible risk factors for urachal adenocarcinoma in this case. It is possible that urachal remnants can undergo malignant transformation, even at ages as young as 15 years. Regular follow-up should be recommended for patients whose urachal remnants persist beyond childhood.

Acute Glomerulonephritis as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome Secondary to Urachal Adenocarcinoma: An Unknown Entity

Urachal carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy with a peculiar biomolecular characterization and therefore a complex approach. It was incorporated by the World Health Organization in 2004 in the tumors of the urinary system classification. This neoplasm is generally diagnosed in advanced stages. The standard treatment is surgical, however, due to the rarity and relatively late clinical manifestation of urachal carcinomas, the survival data are mostly case reports, as well as information about medical-surgical treatment based on evidence. The data used were extracted from both the physical and electronic clinical records. Among atypical presentations reported in the literature, we report a case of urachal adenocarcinoma with simultaneous glomerulonephritis as a paraneoplastic syndrome of which there is no report to date. Surgery was carried out in our patient, unfortunately with lifetime morbidity from kidney function replacement secondary to kidney function damage by glomerulonephritis, despite previous immunosuppression treatment for rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. It is worth mentioning that if the initial diagnosis represents a clinical challenge, treatment is even more complex, given the little information that currently exists about it. Urachal carcinoma is a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Up to now, surgery has been the treatment of choice in localized or locally advanced disease, however, with a high morbidity for the patient.

Rare case of enteric type of urachal adenocarcinoma: A case report

Urachal adenocarcinomas, constituting 10 % of bladder adenocarcinomas, pose a significant challenge with limited literature. A 43-year-old male presented with haematuria and abdominal pain, leading to surgical intervention for a 13 cm pelvic tumor. Histopathology identified an intestinal-type primary urachal adenocarcinoma, staged as IIIA, no recurrence on follow-up. Early detection is crucial for improved outcomes in these rare malignancies. While surgery remains the primary treatment, outcomes vary, emphasizing the need for research on standardized protocols. Enhanced awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration are vital for effective management. Comprehensive guidelines are essential for optimizing patient prognoses in urachal adenocarcinomas.

Urachus adenocarcinoma mistaken for umbilical incision implant cancer after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report

Umbilical incision implant cancer after LC is rare. Elective cholecystectomy was planned for a 49 years-old female patient with symptomatic gallstones. The patient underwent transumbilical single-port LC after admission to our hospital. Gallbladder specimens were obtained directly through the umbilical puncture hole, and histopathology suggested chronic cholecystitis. Three months after surgery, the patient experienced painful induration in the umbilicus. We initially considered incision scar hyperplasia complicated with pain, and used drugs to treat it conservatively without taking special treatment measures. Six months after LC, the umbilical induration pain affected her quality of life, and the patient requested surgical resection. Preoperative ultrasonography and abdominal computerized tomography (CT) revealed nodular changes around the umbilicus and no abdominal mass. Local resection of the periumbilical mass was performed, and the pathological confirmation was invasive adenocarcinoma. Subsequently, the patient underwent repeat periumbilical mass enlargement resection. Postoperative pathology showed no cancer at the enlarged resection margin, yet the umbilical center pathology showed invasive adenocarcinoma. The excised pathology was sent to the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center for consultation because of the rare nature of the findings associated with the case. After consultation, a diagnosis of umbilical urachus adenocarcinoma was confirmed based on pathological morphology, immunohistochemistry, and the specific anatomical location of the tumor. This case report shown that when there is a persistent mass induration in the navel after LC surgery, the possibility of incision tumor should be considered, rather than simply excluding the possibility of a cancer based on a non-cancer medical history.

Regular gastroscopy and colonoscopy during the evaluation of urachal cancer: do we really need them?

PURPOSE

Urachal cancer is similar to gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in histology, and gastroscopy/colonoscopy is often administered during perioperative evaluation. However, gastroscopy and colonoscopy have corresponding disadvantages. This study discusses whether gastroscopy/colonoscopy is truly necessary for patients with urachal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 166 bladder adenocarcinoma cases diagnosed at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups (urachal cancer and nonurachal cancer), and perioperative evaluations were retrieved.

RESULTS

There were 78 patients with urachal cancer, the median age was 48 years, and 59 were male. Perioperative gastroscopy/colonoscopy revealed 5 intestinal polyps and 1 adenoma during these evaluations, and no primary gastrointestinal cancer was found. Meanwhile, preoperative imaging evaluation did not detect significant gastrointestinal lesions. For 88 patients with nonurachal cancer, including primary bladder adenocarcinoma and metastatic tumors from gastrointestinal cancer, the median age was 56 years, and 64 were male. Preoperative imaging evaluation demonstrated 36 cases of gastrointestinal lesions, and 32 were confirmed by gastroscopy/colonoscopy; the other 4 were negative. Another 4 cases of colon cancer were detected by regular colonoscopy for suspected primary bladder adenocarcinoma. In all, 35 cases of colon cancer and 1 case of gastric cancer were identified by endoscopic examination. The diagnostic consistency of imaging and gastrointestinal endoscopy was favorable (P < 0.001), and the negative predictive value and diagnostic efficiency of imaging were 96.9% and 94.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The vast majority of gastrointestinal cancer cases can be identified by assessment of the patient's clinical symptoms, meticulous physical examination, and imaging evaluation. We recommend that gastroscopy/colonoscopy only be applied to patients with urachal cancer when the above examinations are positive.

Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Originating From Urachal Carcinoma: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Urachal carcinoma (UC) is a rare and aggressive tumor arising from the urachal remnants, with the potential for peritoneal dissemination. Patients diagnosed with UC often have a poor prognosis. To date, there is no standardized treatment. Our objective is to present two cases of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) secondary to an UC, who were treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic peroperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). A review of the literature on CRS and HIPEC in UC suggests CRS and HIPEC to be a safe and viable treatment option. Two patients with PC of UC underwent CRS and HIPEC in our institution. All available data were gathered and reported on. A literary search was carried out to find all available cases of patients with PC secondary to UC treated with CRS and HIPEC. Both patients underwent CRS and HIPEC and are currently free of recurrence. Literature research revealed nine other publications adding up to a total of 68 additional cases. CRS and HIPEC can provide satisfactory long-term oncological outcome with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in patients with PC of urachal origin. It should be considered as a safe and feasible treatment option with curative potential.

Urachal carcinoma: The journey so far and the road ahead

Urachal carcinoma, a rare cancer arising from urachus, accounts for about 1% of bladder cancer. The diagnosis at stage I shows about 63% 5-year survival whereas only 8% of the patients at stage IV shows a 5-year survival. Above 90% of urachal carcinomas are adenocarcinomas and most of the urachal carcinoma cases are invasive, showing a high resemblance to adenocarcinoma of various origins, making it hard for a conclusive diagnosis. Even though inconclusive, immunohistochemistry can play a significant role in identifying urachal carcinoma. Most cases show the biomarkers CK20 and CDX2, whereas CK7 and β-catenin are expressed at a lesser frequency. Due to the few cases available, there is a lack of evidence regarding specific markers differentiating urachal carcinoma from colorectal or primary bladder adenocarcinomas. In addition to immunohistochemistry, genomic characterization is emerging to play a role in the classification and treatment of the disease. Urachal carcinoma has been reported to have a molecular level similarity with colorectal malignancies regarding certain gene expressions. The TP53 mutations inactivating the tumor suppressor can probably be explored as a possible target in treating urachal carcinoma. Additionally, certain targets identified in gastric and breast cancer along with anti-HER2 treatment strategies can be explored. Immuno-oncology utilizes immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of MSI-H tumors whereas a combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors along with immune checkpoint inhibitors are being studied to treat MSI stable tumors. The article is an in-depth overview of urachal carcinoma addressing the current landscape with an emphasis on the future scenario.

An Unusual Case of Urachal Cyst Misdiagnosed as a Paraovarian Cyst: Ultrasound Assessment and Differential Diagnosis

The urachus is an embryologic remnant of the cloaca that usually degenerates after birth, resulting from the obliteration of the allantois, whose role is to connect the bladder to the umbilicus. Incomplete removal of the lumen may give rise to different malformations of the median umbilical ligament after birth. Although in the pediatric population urachus are common, most cases are asymptomatic and may go unrecognized until adulthood and give rise to cysts, rarely reported in the literature. Thus, in this manuscript we present the circumstances of a 43-year-old Romanian woman showing hypogastric pain of moderate intensity for three weeks, radiation in the left lower limb, menstrual cycle abnormalities, and dysmenorrhea. Based on the initial examinations, a paraovarian cyst measuring 80 mm was noted. Through the subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted, a hypoechoic mass was detected, and the patient underwent a tumorectomy and partial cystectomy. A 9.7/7.5-cm tumor was excised, and the anatomopathological result was urachal mucinous cystadenoma. It came to our attention that relatively scarce data were found in the literature, with only seven studies with the diagnosis of the urachal cyst.

Primary urachal signet ring cell carcinoma: A case report

Urachal signet ring cell carcinoma is a kind of rare but aggressive tumor, and a few cases have been reported previously. A 49-year-old male patient with primary complaints of increased frequency of urination, urodynia, and hematuria was diagnosed to have primary urachal signet ring cell carcinoma by our department. Multiple metastases were found in the sigmoid colon, terminal ileum, mesentery, and peritoneum during the operation, and palliative surgery involving partial cystectomy with en bloc resection of the urachus was then performed. A chemotherapy regimen of fluorouracil combined with cisplatin was made for this case. In addition, this patient also received anlotinib for targeted therapy. So far, this patient has done well on regular follow-up for 6 months and is in stable condition. We reported this additional urachal signet ring cell carcinoma case and conducted a literature review to strengthen our cognition of this disease.

Urachal carcinoma: A novel staging system utilizing the National Cancer Database

BACKGROUND

Urachal carcinoma (UrC) is a rare, aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis that is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages. Due to its rarity, the current staging systems, namely Sheldon, Mayo, and Ontario were established based on relatively small patient cohorts, necessitating further validation. We used a large patient population from the National Cancer Database to model a novel staging system based on the Tumor (T), Node(N), and Metastasis (M) (TNM) staging system and compared it to established staging systems.

METHODS

We identified patients diagnosed with UrC between the years of 2004-2016. To determine median overall survival (OS), a Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve was generated using the Sheldon, Mayo, Ontario, and TNM staging system. A cox proportional-hazards regression model was developed to highlight predictors of overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 626 patients were included in the analysis. The OS for the entire cohort was 58.2 months (50.1-67.8) with survival rates at 12, 24, and 60 months of 83%, 70%, and 49%, respectively (p < 0.0001). As compared to the Sheldon, Mayo, and Ontario staging system, our TNM staging system had a more balanced sample and survival distribution per stage and no overlap among stages on KM survival curves. The Mayo, Ontario, and TNM staging systems were more accurate in terms of stage-survival correlation than the Sheldon staging system (p < 0.05 for all stages).

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed novel TNM staging system for UrC has a more balanced sample distribution and a more accurate stage-survival correlation than the traditional Mayo, Sheldon, and Ontario staging systems. It is clinically applicable and enables better risk stratification, prognosis, and therapeutic decision-making.

A new technological approach in diagnostic pathology: mass spectrometry imaging-based metabolomics for biomarker detection in urachal cancer

Urachal adenocarcinomas (UrC) are rare but aggressive. Despite being of profound therapeutic relevance, UrC cannot be differentiated by histomorphology alone from other adenocarcinomas of differential diagnostic importance. As no reliable tissue-based diagnostic biomarkers are available, we aimed to detect such by integrating mass-spectrometry imaging-based metabolomics and digital pathology, thus allowing for a multimodal approach on the basis of spatial information. To achieve this, a cohort of UrC (n = 19) and colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC, n = 27) as the differential diagnosis of highest therapeutic relevance was created, tissue micro-arrays (TMAs) were constructed, and pathological data was recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissue sections were scanned and annotated, enabling an automized discrimination of tumor and non-tumor areas after training of an adequate algorithm. Spectral information within tumor regions, obtained via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), were subsequently extracted in an automated workflow. On this basis, metabolic differences between UrC and CRC were revealed using machine learning algorithms. As a result, the study demonstrated the feasibility of MALDI-MSI for the evaluation of FFPE tissue in UrC and CRC with the potential to combine spatial metabolomics data with annotated histopathological data from digitalized H&E slides. The detected Area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 in general and 0.77 for the analyte taurine alone (diagnostic accuracy for taurine: 74%) makes the technology a promising tool in this differential diagnostic dilemma situation. Although the data has to be considered as a proof-of-concept study, it presents a new adoption of this technology that has not been used in this scenario in which reliable diagnostic biomarkers (such as immunohistochemical markers) are currently not available.

Urachal carcinoma: A case of a rare neoplasm

INTRODUCTION

Urachal carcinoma is a rare type of non-urothelial malignancy that arises from the urachal ligament, a remnant of fetal development. It frequently involves the dome of the bladder or its midline, with adenocarcinoma being the most common histological type. This malignancy is generally diagnosed in advanced stages and is associated with poor prognosis.

CASE REPORT

A 40-year-old woman was referred to hospital due to recurrent urinary tract infections. Imaging studies showed the presence of a 3.7 cm tumor in the bladder dome that extended to the posterior region of the umbilicus. A biopsy through cystoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of urachal carcinoma. Since there were no metastases, the patient underwent partial cystectomy and resection of the urachal ligament and the umbilicus. Surgical margins were negative and it was considered a complete resection. Nine months later, disease progression occurred, with peritoneal carcinomatosis, multiple adenopathies and a 4 cm mass in the pelvic cavity with invasion of the vagina, rectum, and sigmoid colon. She began palliative chemotherapy with cisplatine and 5-fluorouracil. After 7 cycles, progression was again observed, with an increase of the pelvic mass, vaginal and rectal hemorrhage, multiple intramuscular implants, bilateral axillary adenopathies, as well as lesion in the right breast, which was compatible with metastasis from urachal carcinoma. She underwent hemostatic radiotherapy to the pelvic mass and second line palliative chemotherapy with gemcitabine and paclitaxel. After 4 cycles, the patient clinically deteriorated and eventually died.

CONCLUSION

Urachal carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy. Although systemic treatment may be effective in disease control, a standard chemotherapy regimen is yet to be determined. Multicenter trials are needed to clarify the best treatment approach in these patients.

Secondary tumors of the bladder: A survival outcome study

The urinary bladder may be involved by a variety of secondary tumors that originate from other organs. Bladder secondary tumors are rare and may be mistaken as bladder primary tumors because of their overlapping morphologic features. To avoid the diagnostic pitfalls, we analyzed the clinicopathologic features of bladder secondary tumors in a large cohort of patients. Our patient cohort consisted of 45 females and 38 males with a mean age of 58.7 ± 15.4 years (range 10-87 years). The tumors involved the bladder via direct extension from adjacent organs (n = 42) and distant metastasis (n = 41). In females, the majority of secondary tumors originated from the gynecologic tract (n = 25), and other common origins included the colon/rectum (n = 5) and breast (n = 4). In males, the most common origin was the prostate (n = 18), followed by the colon/rectum (n = 4) and kidney (n = 3). 75.9% of the secondary tumors were adenocarcinoma (n = 63), and other common tumor types included sarcoma (n = 6), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 5), melanoma (n = 4), and neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 3). 67.5% of patients (n = 56) died of the disease with a median overall survival of 23 months from the time of secondary involvement of the bladder. Patients with secondary tumors via direct extension had a median survival time of 20 months, which was not significantly different from that for patients with secondary involvement via distant metastasis (24 months) (p = 0.83). Median survival in cases with prostate primary was 20 months as compared to 23 months for all other tumor types (p = 0.68). The majority of secondary tumors are composed of adenocarcinoma, which highlights the importance of differentiating primary from secondary involvement in bladder adenocarcinoma. Regardless of the origin, bladder secondary tumors are associated with a poor prognosis.

Current Understanding of Urachal Adenocarcinoma and Management Strategy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to sum up the state of the art of urachal carcinoma (UC) in order to easily guide clinicians.

RECENT FINDINGS

UC is a rare and aggressive disease with consequent few data about diagnosis and treatment. Dates are mainly based on retrospective trial and case reports with limited prospective trial. Clinical presentation is not specific, often with urinary symptoms. Diagnosis is mainly based on CT scan and MRI, useful to evaluate local invasion and nodal status and to detect the presence of distant metastases. Therefore, biopsy is needed to obtain histological confirmation. Surgery is the gold standard for localized disease, while different chemotherapy schemes have been used in metastatic setting. Novel findings based on mutational analysis of the tumor include the use of biological treatment, such as cetuximab, and immunotherapy, such as atezolizumab, with satisfactory responses, suggesting that personalized treatment could be the most suitable option for UC.