Bladder small cell carcinoma: 5 cases report and literature review / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of small cell carcinoma of bladder (SCCB) in order to improve the understanding of it.Methods The pathological and clinical data of 5 cases of SCCB were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were male,aged 50 to 78 years (mean age,64 years).Clinical manifestations of 4 cases were gross hematuria,the other case was found by health examination.Ultrasonography results of 3 cases were medium echo tumors,the other 2 cases were hypoecho tumors.The diameter of the tumor was 2.1 to 4.0 cm (mean,3.0 cm).There were 3 patients accepted CT scan.One of them was found of hydronephrosis and multiple pelvic lymph nodes.All patients accepted diagnostic TURBT.Three of them accepted postoperative chemotherapy (1 cycle) without other surgery.Two patients accepted radical cystectomy with postoperative chemotherapy (3 cycles) after bladder tumor biopsy.Results Pathological findings showed that tumor cells were small,round and sheet in arrangement.These hyperchromatic nuclei showed limited cytoplasm with lack of nesting character.Neuron specific enolase,chromogranin A and synaptophysin were positive in immunohistochemistry.The final diagnosis was SCCB'.Two of the three patients who accepted TURBT with postoperative chemotherapy died 7 and 8 months postoperatively,the other one was alive for 32 months.Another two patients who accepted radical cystectomy with postoperative chemotherapy were alive for 16 and 26 months.Conclusions SCCB is a rare tumor which has high malignancy and poor prognosis.Radical cystectomy in combination with postoperative chemotherapy is the main treatment.Retained bladder surgery with chemotherapy is an alternative choice.