Mixed mesodermal tumors of urinary bladder: prognosis and management

Carcinosarcoma in a bladder diverticulum

A 47-year-old man presented with hematuria and dysuria. He was found to have a carcinosarcoma originating from a bladder diverticulum. He underwent a partial cystectomy and received postoperative chemotherapy. One year later, he presented with a large local recurrence and died shortly afterward. We believe this to be the second case of a carcinosarcoma originating in a bladder diverticulum.

Primary mesenchymal tumors of the urinary bladder. A histological and immunohistochemical study of 30 cases

The light microscopic and immunohistochemical features of 30 primary mesenchymal neoplasms of the urinary bladder are reported. Half of the cases represented smooth and striated muscle tumors (five leiomyomas, seven leiomyosarcomas including epithelioid and myxoid subtypes, one rhabdomyoma, one embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and one alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma). One third of the tumors were of fibrohistiocytic origin (one fibrous histiocytoma and eight malignant fibrous histiocytomas including fascicular and storiform, inflammatory and pleomorphic subtypes). In addition, a malignant epithelioid schwannoma, a round cell liposarcoma, two hemangiomas and two mixed mesodermal tumors were observed. The morphology of the vesical mesenchymal tumors was identical to that of their counterparts known to occur in other sites, particularly in the soft tissue. Muscle-specific actin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, S-100-protein and neuron-specific enolase proved to be useful and reliable immunomarkers for differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated leio- and rhabdomyosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas and malignant schwannomas. Since some tumors coexpressed several classes of intermediate filaments, diagnostic immunocytochemistry should only be used considering a larger panel of antibodies and in close correlation with the histological and cytological features of the neoplasms.

Carcinosarcoma of the urinary bladder: a distinct variant characterized by small cell undifferentiated carcinoma with neuroendocrine features

The clinicopathological features of two carcinosarcomas of the urinary bladder are reported. The tumours occurred in a 64- and a 66-year-old patient presenting with haematuria and both were polypoid. The epithelial component was consistent with small cell undifferentiated carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, whereas the sarcomatous component did not display specific features. The carcinomatous component showed immunohistochemical reactivity for different epithelial markers as well as for chromogranin and neuron specific enolase. Conversely, the sarcomatous cells stained strongly for vimentin and in one case for muscle actin and smooth muscle actin. The differential diagnosis of biphasic tumours of the bladder is discussed and the literature reviewed.

Carcinosarcoma of the urinary bladder. Case report

A case of carcinosarcoma in the urinary bladder is presented. On basis of a review of the most recent literature and referring to our own case, radical cystectomy appears to be the most effective treatment of this tumour.

Carcinosarcoma of the urinary bladder

The clinical and pathologic features of three new and 35 previously reported carcinosarcomas of the urinary bladder were reviewed. This type of tumor is three times more common in men than women, and has occurred in patients from 33 to 82 years of age (average, 62 years), most of whom presented with hematuria of short duration. The tumors are usually large and polypoid, and on microscopic examination contain an intimate admixture of malignant epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The former may resemble transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma; and the latter, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, or undifferentiated sarcoma: skeletal muscle, osseous, and/or cartilaginous differentiation has occurred in from 25% to 50% of the tumors. Sixteen patients died as a result of their tumors; four others had metastatic disease and three were lost to follow-up. Twelve patients were alive and free of disease from 5 months to 7 years postoperatively. Most of the 12 underwent radical cystectomy, preceded in some cases by radiation therapy, but four underwent a more conservative operation.

The epithelial origin of a malignant mesodermal mixed tumor of the bladder: report of a case with long-term survival

Malignant mesodermal mixed tumors of the bladder are complex neoplasms consisting of elements of carcinoma and differentiated sarcoma. They are rare, aggressive and usually rapidly fatal. We report on a patient who remained free of disease 7 years after resection by partial cystectomy of a malignant mesodermal mixed tumor. Only 1 other long-term survivor has been reported. Our case is of particular interest because urothelial carcinoma in situ was found in the bladder epithelium on the surface and at the periphery of the invasive tumor, strongly suggesting an epithelial origin of this and similar tumors of other organs.

Mixed mesodermal tumor of urinary bladder: a light and electron microscopic study

Light and ultrastructural findings in a mixed mesodermal tumor of the urinary bladder are reported. The mesenchymal component of the tumor contained undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and cells with chondroblastic differentiation. The neoplastic chondrocytes displayed an abundance of cytoplasmic microfilaments and had a scalloped cell surface.

Reactive pseudosarcomatous response in urinary bladder

An unusual pseudosarcomatous lesion of the urinary bladder is described in a thirty-two-year-old woman. The absence of malignant epithelial elements, the benign clinical course, and a history of chronic cystitis support the interpretation of a reactive proliferation. Awareness of this entity is important in determining therapeutic intervention.