[Squamous metaplasia as a prognostic factor in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder]

The Authors report a retrospective review of 224 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder observed between 1986 and 1990. Squamous metaplasia was present in 45 case. This histological feature was found especially in association with poorly differentiated and invasive tumours: the presence of extensive areas of squamous metaplasia (metaplastic areas = or greater than 50% of neoplastic surface) was always found in association with high grade neoplasms and with a disease-free period shorter than transitional cell carcinoma. The Authors conclude that squamous metaplasia in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a really unfavourable prognostic factor.