[Bladder neoplasms in patients under 40 years of age]

The incidence, presentation and clinical evolution of vesical tumours diagnosed in our Centre over the last 10 years (1986-1995) in patients under forty are examined. This retrospective study included 19 of the 643 neoplasias treated during that period; 7 of these in patients under 30 and 12 in patients over 31. Haematuria was the most frequent reason for visiting the Centre. At the time of diagnosis, all cases were surface tumours and none progressed to the infiltrant stage. Tumours in patients over 30 are characterised by a higher histological grade and greater relapse rate versus those in patients under 30. Therefore, age may be a favourable prognostic factor in patients under 30 versus the older group who follow a course more similar to the remainder of usual patients. Diagnosis and treatment of these neoplasias should be just the same as for tumours in older patients.