[Primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder with high serum CA19-9 level: a case report]

A case of primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder with a high serum CA19-9 level is reported. A 44-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of lower abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination incidentally revealed a cystic bladder tumor. Cystoscopy disclosed a broad-based non-papillary tumor on the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. With the diagnosis of a bladder submucosal cystic tumor transurethral needle puncture and biopsy were performed. The solution sampled with puncture was bloody. The patient suddenly complained of headache and blood pressure was elevated to 215/120 mmHg when we held the tumor with a cold cup biopsy forceps. Catecholamine levels of the solution in the tumor were abnormally elevated. The serum CA19-9 level was also raised. Ten days later, she underwent partial cystectomy. Histological findings of the removed specimen showed primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. The serum CA19-9 level decreased to normal limits on the 28th postoperative day. Our experience suggests that the level of serum CA19-9 may serve as a useful index for observing the clinical course of a patient with this disease.