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Published on: October 30, 2013
Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the bladder.
1Department of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA. nshahab65@yahoo.com
Seminars in Oncology
|February 3, 2007
Summary
Small cell carcinoma of the bladder is rare, accounting for less than 1% of bladder tumors. While prognosis is poor, cisplatin-based chemotherapy may improve outcomes for this aggressive cancer.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare malignancy primarily affecting the genitourinary system, particularly the bladder and prostate.
- SCC of the bladder constitutes less than 1% of all bladder tumors.
- Etiology remains unclear, but risk factors include smoking, chronic cystitis, bladder stones, and augmented cystoplasty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of small cell carcinoma of the bladder.
- To discuss its origin, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
- To highlight the poor prognosis and potential therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of small cell carcinoma of the bladder.
- Analysis of epidemiological data and risk factors.
- Summary of diagnostic methods and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- SCC of the bladder originates from totipotent stem cells in the bladder submucosa, not Kulchitsky cells.
- Clinical presentation lacks specific features differentiating it from transitional cell carcinoma, though paraneoplastic syndromes may occur.
- The cancer exhibits a propensity for early metastasis, similar to lung SCC.
Conclusions:
- Diagnosis is confirmed via cystoscopic biopsy.
- There is no established standard therapy, and the prognosis is generally poor.
- Cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens show promise for improving patient prognosis.
