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Further studies of intestinal heterotopia in urethral caruncle
Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica, Et Immunologica Scandinavica. Section A, Pathology
|November 1, 1984
Insights
Colonic mucosa-like intestinal heterotopia in urethral caruncles, found in a child and adult women, suggests a congenital origin. This condition may potentially precede distal urethral adenocarcinomas.
Area of Science:
- Uropathology
- Gastroenterology
- Gynecologic Pathology
Background:
- Urethral caruncles are benign polypoid growths typically found in postmenopausal women.
- Intestinal heterotopia, the presence of gastrointestinal mucosa in an ectopic location, is a rare finding.
- The etiology of urethral caruncles and their potential for malignant transformation remain areas of investigation.
Abstract:
Colonic mucosa-like intestinal heterotopia in a urethral caruncle is reported in a 2 yr 7 mth old girl and three women; 55, 71 and 78 yrs old. The occurrence of the anomaly in a child supports the first two author's earlier suggestion that the condition is congenital in nature. In princip this could also be the case in post-menopausal women, although the possibility of metaplasia must also be considered. Perhaps the condition could be a precursor of some adenocarcinomas of the distal urethra.