Bladder leiomyoma: rare presentation as a pelvic mass.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Bladder leiomyomas are uncommon mesenchymal tumors originating from the smooth muscle of the bladder wall.
• These tumors typically present with nonspecific lower urinary tract symptoms and are rarely diagnosed preoperatively.
• Giant bladder leiomyomas are exceptionally rare, posing diagnostic challenges due to their size and potential for mimicking other pelvic neoplasms.

Observation:

• A case of a giant bladder leiomyoma presenting as a significant pelvic mass is described.
• The tumor was initially misidentified as an ovarian mass, underscoring the diagnostic difficulties associated with large, atypical pelvic lesions.
• The patient underwent a successful bladder-preserving surgical intervention.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of bladder leiomyoma.
• The surgical approach prioritized bladder preservation, achieving complete tumor resection with functional outcomes.
• Review of existing literature reveals limited data on giant bladder leiomyomas and their management.

Implications:

• This case emphasizes the importance of considering rare bladder tumors in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses, even when ovarian pathology is suspected.
• Bladder-preserving surgery is a feasible and effective management strategy for selected cases of bladder leiomyoma.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these rare entities.