[Erythrocyte morphology in urine determined by light microscopy in patients with bladder cancer]

A finding of 80% or more of dysmorphic erythrocytes is assumed to point to kidney glomeruli, and of 80% or more of isomorphic erythrocytes to lower urinary tract as the origin of bleeding. In urine samples without significant origin of bleeding, there were 20%-80% of mixed results with both dysmorphic and isomorphic erythrocytes. The aim of the study was to show the origin of erythrocytes in malignant urine samples. Samples were fresh native urine sediment contrast stained with 0.1% safranin solution and analyzed under light microscope (X40). Out of 72 patients with malignant cells detected in urine, the origin of erythrocytes was identified in 25 patients (nine female and 16 male) through 90 samples (approximately 3-4 samples per patient); 26 (28.9%) samples did not have enough erythrocytes to define their origin, a mixed origin of erythrocytes was identified in 33 (36.7%) samples, dysmorphic erythrocytes were found in 25 (27.9%) samples, and isomorphic erythrocytes in 6 (6.3%) samples. In conclusion, there was no specific connection between malignant cell findings in urine and origin of erythrocytes. However, the high presence of mixed erythrocyte origin in malignant samples may suggest that the existence of a malignant process and renal disease should be taken in consideration.