Rare case of bladder chondroma causing lower urinary tract symptoms

Chondroma in the Urinary Bladder: An Extremely Rare Finding

Chondroma, commonly observed in the bones, has limited documentation when found in soft tissues. To date, only 8 chondromas in the urinary bladder have been reported, all in females. Here, we describe a 54-year-old female who presented with a chondroma located at the anterior wall of the urinary bladder. An incidental 5 mm enhanced focus was identified on the right bladder wall during a contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT). Subsequent cystoscopy did not reveal any abnormalities, and both urinalysis and urine cytology were unremarkable. However, a CT urogram reconfirmed suspicions of malignancy, which a cystoscopy validated. The patient underwent a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, which was identified as a bladder chondroma. During the surgical incision, a submucosal lesion was found, which was further confirmed with histopathological evaluation. Over a year-long follow-up using imaging and urine cytology, no recurrence was observed. This case reinforces earlier findings and underscores the predilection for females between their 5th and 7th decades with a positive prognosis.

Chondroma of the urinary bladder: A case report

RATIONALE

Chondromas are benign tumors comprising cartilaginous tissue that commonly occur in the small bones of the hands and feet. Chondromas are extremely rare in extraskeletal soft tissues, and only six cases of bladder chondromas have been reported thus far.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 75-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and urinary symptoms, including increased frequency and a weak stream.

DIAGNOSIS

Cystoscopy revealed a well-defined bladder mass over the anterior bladder wall. The pathology report showed neoplastic chondrocytes within the hyalinized and focal myxoid matrix, and immunopositivity for S-100, leading to the seventh known diagnosis of bladder chondroma.

INTERVENTIONS

The tumor was endoscopically resected. The postoperative stay was uneventful, and 5 days later, the patient was discharged after the removal of the urinary catheter.

OUTCOMES

One month after surgery, repeated cystoscopy showed no recurrence of the bladder tumor, and the patient reported improvement in urinary symptoms and relief of lower abdominal pain.

LESSONS

Chondromas of the urinary bladder can present as urinary symptoms and abdominal pain in older patients. Transurethral resection is the treatment of choice.