Divergent differentiation in urothelial carcinoma and other bladder cancer subtypes with selected mimics. Histopathology 2009 Jun;54(7):885-900
Date
01/31/2009Pubmed ID
19178589DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2559.2008.03167.xScopus ID
2-s2.0-66949169958 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 67 CitationsAbstract
Conventional urothelial carcinoma accounts for most carcinomas of the urinary tract lining. However, neoplastic urothelium has the capacity to demonstrate enormous plasticity. A variety of unusual architectural patterns of urothelial carcinoma, such as the nested, microcystic and inverted variants, can be mistaken for reactive processes or benign tumours. Others such as the micropapillary, plasmacytoid and discohesive variants, can mimic metastatic tumour from other sites. The micropapillary variant in particular is more aggressive. In addition, urothelial carcinoma has a propensity to demonstrate divergent differentiation with glandular, squamous, small cell neuroendocrine, lymphoepithelioma-like, sarcomatoid or other elements. Pure squamous carcinoma or adenocarcinoma (the latter in particular) can be difficult to distinguish from contiguous or metastatic spread. Some variants have prognostic and potential therapeutic implications. Molecular genetic evidence has emerged recently supporting a close relationship between urothelial carcinoma and various divergent elements. Sarcomatoid carcinoma and its differential diagnosis with other spindle cell lesions of urinary tract will be covered in a separate review.
Author List
Shanks JH, Iczkowski KAMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adenocarcinoma, Clear CellAdenoma
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell
Cell Differentiation
Cystitis
Diagnosis, Differential
Giant Cell Tumors
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Radiation Injuries
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
Urothelium
