Inverted papilloma of bladder: clinical significance

Based on 15 cases of inverted urothelial papilloma, we present the clinical significance of these lesions in view of the current literature. An inverted papilloma should raise suspicion with respect to the whole urothelial surface. However, approaching every lesion of this type as a (pre-)neoplastic tumor does not seem justified, since 90 percent of all cases reported so far do not present any clinical or histologic feature of malignancy. Some factors, such as the patient's history, eventually associated urothelial carcinomas, or histologic features of malignant transformation within an inverted papilloma, must be taken into consideration. If no single indication in favor of malignancy has been disclosed, we believe follow-up with yearly endoscopic investigations, in addition to regular urine cytologies, may suffice.