Uncovering the Uncommon: Institutional Insights Into the Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Rarer Forms of Bladder Cancer Beyond Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Introduction Non-transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder (NTCCB) represent a significant clinical challenge due to their rarity, heterogeneity, and poor prognosis. Despite their poor prognosis, the treatment of NTCCB has historically been based on the same principles used for transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs). Our study focuses on the management of non-transitional cell carcinomas and aims to identify areas where treatment outcomes can be improved based on our institutional experience. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of patients with NTCCB who presented at Kasturba Hospital Manipal was conducted between 2012 to 2021. Patient data were collected, and demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, history of other primary malignancies, comorbidities, location of the tumour, stage at presentation, histopathological subtype, site of systemic metastasis, and primary treatment given were analyzed descriptively. Median overall survival was determined by calculating the time from the initial diagnosis to the date of death. Results Among 31 patients with NTCCB, 15 (48%) presented with metastatic disease, five (16%) with locally advanced disease, and 11 (36%) with localized disease. The most common histopathological subtypes were squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, as noted in 14 (45.2%) and 13 (41.9%) patients, respectively, followed by neuroendocrine tumours in two (6.5%), extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma in one (3.3%), and sarcomatoid carcinoma in one (3.3%) patient, respectively. The lung was the most frequent site of systemic metastasis as noted in six (40%) patients, followed by the liver and skeletal system in three (20%) patients each, peritoneum in two (13.3%), cerebral cortex in one (6.7%), and non-regional lymph nodes in one (6.7%) patient. The primary treatment given included palliative chemotherapy in 14 (45.2%) patients, radical cystectomy with ileal conduit in 10 (32.3%), neoadjuvant chemotherapy only in four (12.9%), partial cystectomy in one (3.2%), pelvic exenteration with ileal conduit in one (3.2%), and peritoneal debulking with palliative chemotherapy in one (3.2%) patient. The overall median survival was 15 months, with a one-year survival rate of 67.4%. Conclusion NTCCB exhibits aggressive clinical behaviour and presents with nonspecific clinical features in the early stages, often leading to late diagnosis and an advanced tumour stage at presentation. Multi-institutional studies with larger patient cohorts are needed to recommend best clinical practices for early detection and optimal treatment strategies to improve patient survival.

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

A 64-year-old Caucasian man with a 20 to 25-pack-year cigarette smoking history presented to his primary care provider with the chief complaint of gross hematuria after experiencing three to four months of urinary frequency and urgency. His workup consisted of laboratory blood work, a renal/bladder ultrasound (US), a CT scan without contrast, cystoscopy with biopsy (with an attempted transurethral resection of bladder tumor), and a PET scan. He was diagnosed with stage T4 small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) shortly after seeking medical care with metastases to the liver, bone, and lymph nodes. There was no evidence of lung involvement. The patient's primary concerns included difficulty urinating and sustained hematuria. He underwent palliative radiotherapy and placement of bilateral nephrostomy tubes in order to preserve his quality of life. He also received a chemotherapy regimen consisting of cisplatin, etoposide, and atezolizumab. The patient underwent hospice care and died approximately six months after the presentation.

Oncological Outcomes of Non-Urothelial Bladder Cancers in a Specialized Cancer Hospital of a Developing Country

Background Non-urothelial bladder cancers (NUBCs) constitute only 5% of all bladder cancers. Because of the scarcity of data, no standardized treatment can be offered to these patients. Surgical treatment can be offered to patients with localized disease; however, generally, the prognosis is unfavorable. Methodology Patients with histology-proven NUBC presenting to the Department of Uro-oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2002 to July 2017 were identified and assessed retrospectively. Results A total of 20 patients with a median presenting age of 52 years (range: 34-87 years) were identified. Clinically, T3 was the commonest stage of presentation, i.e., in 11 (55%), whereas 1 (7.1%) patient had metastatic disease. Four types of NUBCs were identified: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Most of the patients with adenocarcinoma were offered surgical treatment in the form of either partial (64.3%) or radical (28.6%) cystectomy. Two patients with small cell carcinoma and two of the three patients with SCC could only be offered palliative chemotherapy. During a median follow-up of 40 months, 14 (70%) patients developed disease progression or recurrence. All these patients succumbed to their disease during a median period of 37.5 months (range: 5-84 months). Furthermore, three- and five-year disease-free survival was 60% and 51%, respectively, and overall survival was 65% and 31%, respectively. Conclusions NUBC is a rare but aggressive disease that presents at an advanced stage in many cases. Treatment protocols are not uniform; therefore, further collaborative research is needed to improve survival outcomes.