Urachal signet ring cell carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Urologic Oncology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Urachal adenocarcinoma is an uncommon malignancy with a generally poor prognosis.
• Signet ring cell carcinoma is a rare subtype, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old male presented with microscopic hematuria.
• Initial investigations revealed an urachal tumor confirmed by cystoscopy and transurethral biopsy.

Findings:

• The patient underwent radical cystectomy and chemotherapy.
• Metastases to ureters causing bilateral hydronephrosis and para-aortic lymph nodes leading to bowel obstruction were observed.
• The patient survived for five years post-treatment, including chemotherapy and a bypass operation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare urachal neoplasms.
• Aggressive multimodal treatment, including chemotherapy and surgical intervention, can lead to long-term survival even in advanced cases.
• Further research into urachal carcinoma subtypes and treatment strategies is warranted.