Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour: case report of a rare form of bladder tumour

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a rare tumour with malignant potential and has been described in many major organs with the most frequent site being the lungs. However, bladder is an extremely rare location. IMT presents a unique diagnostic challenge because of the characteristics it shares with malignant neoplasms.

Here we report the case of a 47-yearold male who presented with storage lower urinary tract symptoms associated with non-specific lower abdominal pain for one month duration. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis revealed a 6 cm tumour at the dome and left side anterior wall of the bladder. He underwent laparotomy and partial cystectomy. Histopathology results were consistent with an IMT.

Even though bladder IMT is indolent in course, typical IMTs can be locally aggressive. Due to the lack of specificity in clinical symptoms, it is not easy to arrive at a precise diagnosis before surgery. Hence, the final diagnosis depends on histomorphological features and the immune histochemical profile.

It can be challenging to distinguish IMT from malignant neoplasms both clinically and histologically. As such, local surgical resection with close follow-up remains the mainstay of treatment for urinary tract IMT.