Small cell neuroendocrine tumor of the urinary bladder: A case report

Bladder cancer is predominantly characterized by urothelial carcinomas, but small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (SCNEC) represent a rare and aggressive subset.

A 50-year-old male presented with painless hematuria and voiding difficulties. Ultrasonography revealed a 3.2 × 3 × 1.8 cm lesion with irregular margins and microcalcifications in the bladder. Computed tomography urography suggested an intra-vesical protruding mass. The patient underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). Histopathological examination confirmed SCNEC and papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), with high Ki-67 (90 %). PET-CT ruled out metastasis. Treatment included chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

At one-year follow-up, the patient was undergoing radiotherapy after completing chemotherapy. This case highlights the importance of multimodal treatment for aggressive bladder cancers, emphasizing TURBT, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Comprehensive management, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is critical in treating rare and aggressive bladder cancers like SCNEC, leading to improved outcomes.