Lipid-rich variant of urothelial carcinoma: a lethal enigma

Invasive urothelial carcinoma shows marked propensity for divergent differentiation. Several of these 'variant' morphologies have been described in literature and recognised in the 2004 WHO classification. In this report, we detail a case of bladder tumour, diagnosed to be a lipid-rich variant on histopathology after transurethral resection of bladder tumour. Our case encompasses the complete clinical spectrum of this rare and aggressive subtype of urothelial carcinoma starting from initial presentation to postoperative follow-up and recurrence. A keen eye for recognising these variants can ensure a timely diagnosis of these variant and administration of a therapy distinctive from that used in conventional invasive urothelial carcinoma.