[Primary malignant lymphoma of the bladder: a case report]

Area of Science:

• Uro-oncology
• Surgical pathology
• Diagnostic challenges in oncology

Background:

• Genitourinary bleeding can indicate serious bladder pathology.
• Bladder tumors require accurate histopathological diagnosis for appropriate management.
• Submucosal tumors pose diagnostic challenges with superficial biopsies.

Observation:

• An 86-year-old woman presented with genitourinary bleeding and a bladder mass detected via CT scan.
• Initial cystoscopy and transurethral biopsy revealed lymphocytic infiltration but no malignancy.

Findings:

• Autopsy confirmed the cause of death was diffuse B cell lymphoma, small cell type, originating in the bladder.
• The submucosal location of the lymphoma contributed to its non-detection by cold cup biopsy.

Implications:

• Transurethral cold cup biopsy may not be sufficient for diagnosing submucosal bladder lymphomas.
• Advanced imaging and potentially deeper biopsies are crucial for accurate diagnosis of primary bladder lymphoma.