[Neuroendocrine bladder cancer: oncological emergency?]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Context:

• Neuroendocrine bladder cancer is a rare condition with a poor prognosis.
• No clear link exists between neuroendocrine phenotype and clinical history in bladder cancers.
• Untreated, the 5-year survival rate for this cancer does not exceed 8%.

Purpose:

• To describe three case reports of aggressive bladder carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation.
• To highlight the challenges in managing this rare and aggressive tumor type.
• To emphasize the need for prompt, aggressive therapeutic interventions.

Summary:

• This study presents three cases of aggressive neuroendocrine bladder carcinoma.
• Current treatments include radical cystectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but no gold standard exists.
• The aggressive nature necessitates viewing these tumors as oncological emergencies.

Impact:

• Early diagnosis and intervention, including radical surgery and lymph node dissection, are vital.
• Systematic pathological examination of surgical specimens is essential for accurate staging and treatment planning.
• Further research into neoadjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapies is needed to establish new treatment guidelines.