Inverted papillomas of the urinary tract. A case of multiple, recurring inverted papillomas of the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder associated with malignant change

Inverted urothelial papilloma of the upper urinary tract: description of two cases with systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Inverted urothelial papilloma (IUP) of the upper urinary tract is an uncommon benign tumour that occasionally presents as a polypoid mass causing urinary obstruction. Histologically, IUP is characterised by a proliferating urothelium arranged in cords and trabeculae, in continuity with overlying intact epithelium, and extending into the lamina propria in a non-invasive, endophytic manner. Cytological atypia is minimal or absent. Top differential diagnoses include urothelial carcinoma with inverted growth pattern and florid ureteritis cystica. Although urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract with prominent inverted growth pattern commonly harbour microsatellite instability, the role of the mutator phenotype pathway in IUP development is still unclear. The aim of this study was to describe two additional cases of IUP of the upper urinary tract, along with an extensive literature review.

CASE PRESENTATION

We observed two polypoid tumours originating in the renal pelvis and the distal ureter, respectively. Both patients, a 76-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man, underwent surgery because of the increased likelihood of malignancy. Histology was consistent with IUP and patients are alive and asymptomatic after long-term follow-up (6 years for the renal pelvis lesion and 5 years for the ureter lesion). The tumours retained the expression of the mismatch-repair protein MLH1, MSH2, and PMS2 whereas loss of MSH6 was found in both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

When completely resected, IUP does not require rigorous surveillance protocols, such as those for urothelial carcinoma and exophytic urothelial papilloma. It is therefore important for the surgical pathologist to be aware of this rare entity in order to ensure correct patient management.

Immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Can Inform the Differential Diagnosis of Low-Grade Noninvasive Urothelial Carcinoma with an Inverted Growth Pattern and Inverted Urothelial Papilloma

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) comprises a heterogeneous group of epithelial neoplasms with diverse biological behaviors and variable clinical outcomes. Distinguishing UC histological subtypes has become increasingly important because prognoses and therapy can dramatically differ among subtypes. In clinical work, overlapping morphological findings between low-grade noninvasive UC (LGNUC), which exhibits an inverted growth pattern, and inverted urothelial papilloma (IUP) can make subclassification difficult. We propose a combination of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular cytogenetics for subtyping these clinical entities. In our study, tissue microarray immunohistochemical profiles of Ki-67, p53, cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and cyclinD1 were assessed. Molecular genetic alterations such as the gain of chromosomes 3, 7 or 17 or the homozygous loss of 9p21 were also assessed for their usefulness in differentiating these conditions. Based on our analysis, Ki-67 and CK20 may be useful for the differential diagnosis of these two tumor types. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can also provide important data in cases in which the malignant nature of an inverted urothelial neoplasm is unclear. LGNUC with an inverted growth pattern that is negative for both Ki-67 and CK20 can be positively detected using FISH.

Long-term clinical outcome of inverted urothelial papilloma including cases with focal papillary pattern: is continuous surveillance necessary?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the necessity for continuous cystoscopic surveillance of inverted papilloma (IP), including tumors exhibiting mixed morphology (IP with focal papillary architecture).

METHODS

We retrieved all cases of de novo ("primary") IP, diagnosed in our institution during 10 years (from January 2000 to December 2009), from the information database. Patients with a history of urothelial carcinoma or concurrent urothelial carcinoma were excluded. Surveillance was performed by routine cystoscopy, and follow-up was obtained from our institutional and regional clinical and pathology databases.

RESULTS

We identified 35 patients with IP, including 3 with focal papillary architecture. Mean patient age was 60 years (range, 26-88) with male-to-female ratio of 1.9:1. Most common tumor location was urinary bladder (86%), followed by urethra (14%). Focal papillary architecture was identified in 3 patients (aged 51, 52, and 78 years). Mean follow-up was 66 months (median 68; range, 11-132). Only 1 male patient (age 81) had a subsequent diagnosis of IP on follow-up cystoscopy at 9 months; no recurrence or progression was documented in the other patients diagnosed with IP.

CONCLUSION

The absence of progression of IP on long-term follow-up in this study strongly argues against the need of continuous surveillance for patients in whom (1) strict diagnostic criteria are followed, (2) a complete resection can be ascertained, and (3) no previous or concurrent urothelial malignancies are documented. In this study, the 3 patients with IP showing focal papillary architecture had a benign course, similar to the previously documented cases.

Human papillomavirus is not an etiologic agent of urothelial inverted papillomas

Inverted papilloma of the urinary bladder is rare, accounting for <1% of all bladder neoplasms. Although there is general consensus that inverted papilloma is benign in nature, little is known about its pathogenesis. Some have suggested that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays an etiologic role in the development of this neoplasm. These claims have not been adequately substantiated, and there is controversy as to the role of HPV in other urinary bladder neoplasms as well. To further investigate a possible etiologic role of HPV in urothelial neoplasia, we evaluated 27 inverted papillomas of the urinary bladder for the presence of HPV. Both immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization (ISH) studies for HPV and immunohistochemical analysis for p16, a surrogate marker for HPV infection, were used to assess HPV infection status. In the urinary bladder inverted papillomas of these 27 patients (age range, 35 to 78 y; M:F ratio, 11:1), no HPV was detected by HPV immunohistochemistry or by ISH. Immunoreactivity to p16 was detected in 11/27 (41%) of the cases. Expression of p16 is seen inconsistently within these neoplasms and does not correlate with the presence of HPV antigens or genes by immunohistochemistry or ISH, respectively. Therefore, p16 is not a reliable surrogate marker for HPV infection in urothelial inverted papilloma. Our findings indicate the absence of HPV in urothelial inverted papillomas. HPV testing should not be used as a diagnostic adjunct for inverted papilloma cases.

Inverted urothelial papillomas with foamy or vacuolated cytoplasm

Inverted papillomas of the bladder are uncommon benign neoplasms characterized by endophytic growth of urothelial cells as anastomosing cords, displaying minimal cytologic atypia. Reports of inverted papilloma associated with urothelial carcinoma or urothelial carcinoma arising within inverted papilloma highlight the difficulties in evaluating urothelial lesions with inverted growth patterns. Within the spectrum of findings in inverted papilloma, vacuolization and foamy (xanthomatous-appearing) cytoplasmic changes have not been previously reported. In the current study, we present 5 novel cases of inverted papilloma involving 2 men and 3 women ranging in age from 48 to 88 years, who presented with microhematuria (n = 3) or irritative symptoms (n = 2). Cystoscopically, the lesions were polypoid (n = 3), pedunculated (n = 1), or solid (n = 1), measured between 0.7 and 2.5 cm, and were all located at the trigone or bladder neck. Morphologically, all cases had some component of usual inverted papilloma along with areas displaying foamy or vacuolated cytoplasm encompassing 30% to 90% of the lesion. These "clear cells" were seen both in distinct regions within the biopsy and, more frequently, intermingled with usual inverted papilloma cells. In 3 of 5 cases, these findings were sufficiently unusual to cause confusion with urothelial carcinoma. The diagnostic dilemma encountered in these cases of inverted papilloma with foamy or vacuolated cytoplasm warrants their distinction from other benign and malignant urothelial lesions with inverted growth and/or clear cell features.

Inverted Papillomas of the Prostatic Urethra

Inverted papillomas of the genitourinary tract are uncommon benign neoplasms usually occurring in the urinary bladder and less frequently in the upper urinary tract. To date, there are scant data and no comprehensive studies of inverted papilloma originating in the prostatic urethra. We identified 21 cases and evaluated their demographic, clinical, and histopathologic features. Patients had a mean age of 65.1 years (range: 30 to 89 y), with 10/21 (47.6%) presenting with gross hematuria (n = 8) or irritative symptoms (n = 2) related to the inverted papilloma and 11/21 (52.4%) detected incidentally during work-up/treatment of prostate cancer (n = 6) or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) (n = 5). Fourteen cystoscopically evaluated lesions measured 0.1 to 2.0 cm, and were described as polypoid (n = 9), papillary (n = 4), or an enlarged median lobe (n = 1). Lesions were diagnosed on transurethral resection (n = 8), biopsy/polypectomy targeted to the lesion (n = 6), radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer (n = 4), or biopsy unrelated to the lesion (n = 3). Histologically, 14/21 cases (67%) displayed classic inverted papilloma architecture. The remaining cases showed foci of squamous metaplasia with moderate atypia (n = 4), rare true papillary fronds in a classic inverted papilloma background (n = 2), or both (n = 1). Eleven cases with prostatic tissue revealed adenocarcinoma of the prostate [n = 6; Gleason score 6 (n = 3) or 7 (n = 3)], high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 1), benign prostatic hypertrophy (n = 3), or adenosis (n = 1). No patients had a prior history of either inverted papilloma or urothelial carcinoma, whereas 2 patients were diagnosed with high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder synchronous with their inverted papilloma diagnosis. Only 1 of the 18 patients with available follow-up had a recurrence of inverted papilloma in the prostatic urethra. None of the other patients had local recurrences or recurrences at other locations in the urinary tract (mean follow-up 39.9 mo; range: 3 to 120 mo). Inverted papillomas of the prostatic urethra are benign lesions that are commonly detected incidentally and are not associated with a history of urothelial malignancy. Although urothelial carcinoma elsewhere in the genitourinary tract may occur simultaneously, malignant transformation or recurrence as a malignant lesion has not been identified in inverted papilloma of the prostatic urethra.

IS SURVEILLANCE NECESSARY FOR INVERTED PAPILLOMA IN THE URINARY BLADDER AND URETHRA?

BACKGROUND

A case series of inverted papilloma of the urinary bladder and urethra is presented, together with a review of the literature with respect to multiplicity, recurrence rate and association with transitional cell carcinoma, and a discussion on surveillance of the lesion.

METHODS

Cases of inverted papilloma of the lower urinary tract in a single centre were reviewed. Patient and tumour characteristics, recurrence and associated transitional cell carcinoma are reported.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included (18 male, two female). The mean age was 60.8 years (range 35-78 years). All had solitary tumours ranging from 3 mm to 30 mm in size. Median cystoscopic follow up was 30 months (range 2-140 months). There was no recurrence. One patient was associated with subsequent transitional cell carcinoma 44 and 76 months later. Together with the present 20 cases, review of the English literature with respect to inverted papilloma of the lower urinary tract identified a total of 322 cases reported, with a recurrence rate of 3.85%. Moreover, 1.55%, 5.90% and 1.54% were associated with previous, simultaneous and subsequent transitional cell carcinoma, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence is not uncommon and risk of subsequent transitional cell carcinoma is not rare, such that non-invasive surveillance with flexible cystoscopy is recommended for inverted papilloma of the lower urinary tract.

Atypia in inverted urothelial papillomas: Pathology and prognostic significance

Inverted papillomas of the bladder are considered benign urothelial neoplasms, based on their histology and clinical course. There are scant data on inverted papillomas with atypical features. Whether to designate them as inverted papillomas with atypia or low-grade transitional cell carcinomas with inverted features is controversial. In the present study, 11 cases of inverted papillomas with atypia and 10 controls of classic inverted papillomas without atypia were collected from 2 institutions. The inverted papillomas with atypia had the typical architectural features of inverted papillomas consisting of thin anastomosing trabeculae of urothelium growing downward into the stroma without an exophytic papillary component. The atypical areas in the current series were focal, with other areas exhibiting the benign cytology of classic inverted papillomas. Cases with atypia were subdivided into the following groups: (1) 5 cases notable for areas containing prominent nucleoli, (2) 2 cases with foci with atypical squamous features, (3) 2 cases with areas of dysplasia, approaching the level of carcinoma in situ, (4) 1 case with degenerative-appearing multinucleated giant cells, and (5) 1 case notable for nests of atypical squamous cells associated with large, atypical squamoid cells with a pagetoid appearance in addition to degenerative-appearing multinucleated giant cells. Ki67 was slightly increased in 1 case, with focal dysplasia approaching carcinoma in situ and in 1 case with prominent nucleoli (increased Ki67 in both the atypical and non-atypical areas) and in the case with atypical squamous, pagetoid, and giant cells (no increased Ki67 in the atypical components). Two of the atypical inverted papilloma cases with prominent nucleoli demonstrated an increase in p53 staining throughout the lesions. Cytokeratin (CK) 20 staining was negative in all cases of inverted papillomas. No significant increase in Ki67 staining was found in any of the 10 control cases; increased p53 staining was seen in 1 control case. CK20 staining was negative in the 10 control cases. In the 11 cases with atypia, clinical follow-up revealed no history of prior or subsequent bladder neoplasms. In the cases reviewed, most inverted papillomas with atypia did not demonstrate significantly increased cellular proliferation in comparison with inverted papillomas without atypical features. To date, there has been no association with urothelial carcinoma in the individuals diagnosed with atypical inverted papillomas. These findings suggest that these lesions are currently best classified as inverted papillomas with atypia, not as low-grade transitional carcinomas, and that they merit continued evaluation as a distinct group.

Inverted papilloma of the urinary bladder in children: case report and review of prognostic significance and biological potential behavior

Inverted papilloma of the urinary bladder is rare in the pediatric population. Despite several reports in the literature the prognostic significance and biological potential behavior of this lesion remain uncertain. The authors report a case of polypoid inverted papilloma of the urinary bladder in an 11-year-old boy and review its pathology. The pediatric population with this lesion is an ideal group to provide intense, long-term follow-up to define the biological behavior and prognosis significance of this lesion.

Urothelial transitional cell carcinoma with endophytic growth patterns: a discussion of patterns of invasion and problems associated with assessment of invasion in 18 cases

Most papillary transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) are characterized architecturally by an exophytic growth of fingerlike papillae, but some exhibit a prominent endophytic growth pattern resulting in considerable difficulty in assessing invasion. We report on 18 cases of TCC (17 urinary bladder, one pelvicalyceal system) in which endophytic growth was evident either as interanastomosing cords and columns of urothelium, often with a striking resemblance to inverted papilloma (inverted papilloma-like pattern), or as broad, pushing bulbous invaginations into the lamina propria (broad-front pattern). The mean age of the patients was 68 years (range, 32-94 years), with a male preponderance (3.5:1). In four cases, the endophytic pattern was exclusively inverted papilloma-like, 10 cases had only the broad-front pattern, and four cases showed both patterns. Exophytic papillary TCC of the usual type was present in all but two cases, varying from focal (five cases) to moderate (five cases) to extensive (six cases). In spite of the extensive incursion into the lamina propria resulting from the inverted growth, only nine cases (50%) had unequivocal destructive invasion (lamina propria invasion, eight cases; muscularis propria invasion, one case). Follow-up data, available in 14 cases (1-48 months; mean, 15.5 months), revealed one patient alive with disease, 11 patients with no evidence of disease, and two patients dead of other causes. The limited follow-up does not permit evaluation of the impact of the endophytic patterns on outcome. Because the phenomenon of endophytic growth in TCC has received little attention, we present detailed morphologic descriptions of our cases and review the problems associated with assessment of invasion and the different patterns of invasion by TCC.

Multifocal, synchronous inverted papillomas involving the ureter

Inverted papillomas involving the upper urinary tract remain a rarely diagnosed phenomenon. A case of bilateral ureteral inverted papillomas is presented. The treatment and diagnosis of this lesion remain a challenge.

Urothelial carcinoma occurring within an inverted papilloma of the ureter

Only 5 cases of inverted papilloma of the ureter with a malignant component have been reported previously. We add case 6 to the literature. The incidence of concomitant malignancy in ureteral inverted papillomas is 3 times that found in similar lesions occurring in the bladder.

Multiple simultaneous inverted papillomas of the upper urinary tract. A case report with a review of ureteral and renal pelvic inverted papillomas

An asymptomatic 73-year-old woman was found to have multiple, simultaneous, inverted papillomas of the renal pelvis and ureter. A review of the world literature yielded 34 cases of inverted papillomas in the upper urinary tract: 13 in the renal pelvis, and 21 in the ureter. Among these 34 cases, there were 26 male and five female patients, with gender not given for three others. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 89 years (mean, 64.1 years). Many cases lacked complete clinical details but, among the others, gross painless hematuria was the presenting symptom in seven; hematuria with flank pain or colic in six; and pain without hematuria in six. Only six patients lacked urinary tract symptoms, and three of these had microscopic hematuria. Only two patients had more than one inverted papilloma, and these were not multicentric. Adequate pathologic documentation and follow-up data were, unfortunately, absent in many of the cases. Although inverted papillomas are curable with surgical resection, with a low rate of local recurrence, they appear to be associated with synchronous or asynchronous carcinomas, especially other transitional cell tumors in the urinary tract.

Inverted papilloma with intussusception of the ureter. Case report

A case of inverted papilloma with intussusception of the ureter is reported. The patient is followed up 5 years after conservative treatment by partial resection of the ureter. No signs of urothelial tumor in the upper urinary tract or urinary bladder were revealed.