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Malignant glomus tumor of the urinary bladder
Hyo Sub Shim1, Young Deuk Choi, Nam Hoon Cho
1Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, USA.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|June 25, 2005
Summary
Malignant glomus tumors are rare, especially in visceral organs. This case highlights a bladder tumor with pulmonary metastases, emphasizing diagnostic criteria for these unusual neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Urologic Oncology
Background:
- Malignant glomus tumors (MGTs) are exceptionally rare, with visceral organ origins being particularly uncommon.
- Distinguishing MGTs from benign variants and other malignancies is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Observation:
- A case report details a 57-year-old woman with a malignant glomus tumor of the urinary bladder.
- The tumor presented with metastatic pulmonary nodules and a fatal outcome within two months.
Findings:
- Pathological examination revealed sheets of highly malignant round cells with smooth muscle actin positivity.
- Reticulin staining demonstrated basement membrane investment around individual tumor cells, maintaining architectural similarity to benign glomus tumors.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diagnostic challenges posed by rare malignant glomus tumors in visceral locations.
- Understanding the pathological features and diagnostic criteria is vital for differentiating MGTs from other sarcomas and carcinomas.