Localized amyloidosis of urinary bladder: a diagnostic dilemma

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting a single-or multiple-organ system and presents as generalized or localized disease. Both generalized amyloidosis and localized amyloidosis can be primary or secondary. Localized amyloidosis affects organs like urinary bladder, lung, larynx, skin, tongue and the region around the eye, producing detectable nodular masses which are clinically suspected as malignancy. We present six cases of localized urinary bladder amyloidosis that were clinically and cystoscopically suspected as bladder tumor or cystitis, which occurred over a period of last 10 years. Histology in all cases revealed diagnosis of primary amyloidosis. None of them had any stigmata of secondary disease. The cases were treated by simple transurethral resection of bladder. Two out of the six cases recurred after 3 to 5 years of initial presentation and were asymptomatic thereafter. Amyloidosis of the bladder is a rare condition which often mimics bladder neoplasm clinically and cystoscopically and histological examination is a must for definite diagnosis and proper management.