Brain metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

We present our experience with 4 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and brain metastases. In all 4 cases a solitary intracranial metastasis occurred. In 3 patients this represented the first site of recurrent disease following systemic chemotherapy. Aggressive therapy of the brain metastases was instituted in 3 patients, including external beam radiation and in 2 cases surgical resection. Although all patients died only 3 died as a result of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma, including 2 who died as a direct result of intracranial disease. A review of the literature suggests an increasing incidence of brain metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with the advent of more aggressive therapy for bladder cancer, which includes radical surgery for high stage disease and combination chemotherapy. Aggressive intervention for solitary brain metastases from transitional cell carcinoma can relieve neurological dysfunction and may prolong survival.     

Solitary cerebellar metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.

Brain metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is unusual, occurring most often in the presence of widespread systemic metastases. We report on a patient who presented with an isolated cerebellar metastasis and recurrent carcinoma of the bladder, after treatment with local excision and intravesical thiotepa. Further evaluation failed to demonstrate other distant metastases. Excision of the cerebellar lesion revealed transitional cell carcinoma identical to the original bladder tumor. In a review of the literature, we found reports of two similar patients in whom a solitary cerebellar lesion was the first sign of metastasis from carcinoma of the bladder; neither patient had evidence of other distant metastases, and neither previously had received systemic chemotherapy. These observations indicate that central nervous system metastasis from carcinoma of the bladder, while rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary intracerebellar lesions in such patients.     

Transitional cell carcinomatous meningitis after M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) chemotherapy

The M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) regimen has been utilized at our two institutions to treat 17 patients with advanced stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. We report 2 cases of carcinomatous meningitis resulting from metastatic transitional cell carcinoma which occurred in patients treated with M-VAC. Review of the literature suggests that our experience with central nervous system metastases is not unique, and that treatment of advanced stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with M-VAC may enhance the incidence of meningeal metastases. Carcinomatous meningitis, although rare, is a rapidly fatal manifestation of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma if left untreated. However, prompt diagnosis and early aggressive therapy may result in palliation and stabilization of neurologic status. We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of transitional cell carcinomatous meningitis.     

Isolated central nervous system metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: report of a case and review of the literature

Although systemic metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder occur frequently, involvement of the central nervous system is uncommon. We describe a patient with an isolated cerebral metastasis who had previously undergone resection of a Grade III, Stage B2 carcinoma of the bladder. We have been able to find only one previous case report of a solitary intracerebral metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder without evidence of primary recurrence or additional sites of spread. Central nervous system metastasis from bladder carcinoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary intracerebral lesions.     

Metastases to the eye from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Two patients with eye metastases from widely disseminated transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are described. Factors relating to patient survival and the rate of metastases of transitional cell malignancies are discussed.     

Metástasis cutáneas de un carcinoma transicional vesical productor de β-HCG

In spite of the high incidence of transitional cell carcinoma, cutaneous metastases are infrequent, especially when they are the first sign of metastatic spread, with a low survival rate.Thirty five per cent of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder have ectopic beta- human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) production. It has been related with high grade tumors, advanced stage, metastatic disease, radioresistent tumors and low survival rate because of its effect as a growth modulator with a probably antagonist action in the apoptotic cascade. We present a thirty six years old woman affected by a transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder producing β-HCG that showed two cutaneous metastases as first sign of metastatic disease. The exceptional coincidence of these two circumstances announced a very aggressive tumor behaviour and bad prognostic, with a quickly multiple metastatic dissemination including a pericardic metastases.     

Cutaneous metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Two cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with cutaneous metastases are reported. In one patient, multiple nodular metastatic lesions appeared simultaneously with urethral recurrence after total cystectomy. In another patient, diffuse inflammatory metastatic lesion was generated after radiotherapy for pelvic lymph nodes. The pathways of metastatic dissemination from the transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are discussed.     

A case of vaginal metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma

A 74-year-old female with a complaint of genital bleeding was referred to our hospital. In her past history, 4 times of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) for bladder cancers and right nephroureterectomy with cuff for right ureteral tumors were performed during these 17 years, followed by simple cystectomy 3 years before. A punch biopsy of anterior vaginal wall demonstrated metastases of transitional cell carcinoma. Although total histero-vaginectomy was performed, recurrence of disease was observed in bone, skin and inguinal lymph nodes 9 months after the operation. This case is the 13th report of vaginal metastases of transitional cell carcinoma in the world.     

Contribution of 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography to preoperative staging of advanced transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: Current imaging modalities for preoperative staging of advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder or upper urinary tract are not sensitive for detection of metastases. This study examines the contribution of 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography to preoperative staging of transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 18 patients with 19 advanced transitional cell carcinomas (17 bladder tumors and 2 upper tract transitional cell carcinomas). All patients had computerized tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis negative for metastases. 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography was performed on a Discovery ST(R) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography system. Finally 16 patients underwent radical surgery and positron emission tomography/computerized tomography images were compared to histopathological findings. Two patients were not operated on due to the findings on 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography. RESULTS: 11C-choline uptake was found in all primary transitional cell carcinomas, with a maximum standardized uptake value of 7.3 +/- 3.2 (mean +/- SD). The series included 3 patients with refractory bladder carcinoma in situ, which was visualized in all 3, with a standardized uptake value of 6.9 +/- 5.6. In 6 patients uptake of 11C-choline in lymph nodes as small as 5 mm was visualized (standardized uptake value 3.8 +/- 1.4). Of these patients 4 underwent surgery and histopathology confirmed malignancy in 3 of 4. No additional patients with positive lymph nodes were found on histopathology. Metastases were visualized in bones with normal architecture on computerized tomography in 4 patients (standardized uptake value 5.2 +/- 1.1) and were confirmed by followup computerized tomography. CONCLUSIONS: In this small series 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography was highly sensitive for primary and metastatic transitional cell carcinoma. Carcinoma in situ, lymph node metastases and early bony metastases were visualized. 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography is a promising tool for preoperative staging of advanced transitional cell carcinoma.     

Cutaneous metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of bladder

Cutaneous metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare occurrence. We report on a patient in whom multiple cutaneous metastases developed five months after radical surgery.     

Twenty-three years of disease-free survival following cutaneous metastasis from a primary bladder transitional cell carcinoma

We present a case of cutaneous metastases from a primary bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), with a prolonged survival of 23 years. Cutaneous metastases from primary bladder TCC are uncommon and, like all metastases, have a poor prognosis. The common modality of treatment of cutaneous metastases from a primary bladder cancer is wide local excision of the metastases followed by combination chemotherapy. Here, we present a case of a solitary cutaneous metastasis from a primary bladder TCC, which was treated with wide local excision and single agent chemotherapy. Twenty-three years on, the patient remains disease and recurrence free.     

Large cerebellar lesion as original manifestation of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder classically present with irritative voiding symptoms or painless hematuria. Common sites of vascular metastases include the liver (38%), lung (36%), bone (27%), adrenal glands (21%), and intestine (13%). Vascular metastasis to the brain, without a prior history of chemotherapy, is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with bladder transitional cell carcinoma whose original presentation was from a symptomatic, metastatic, cerebellar lesion.     

Métastases péniennes après cystoprostatectomie pour carcinome urothélial de la vessie

Penile metastases for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are rare (1 to 8%). In most cases (65%) they occur within 18 months after the diagnosis of the primary lesion and their prognosis is poor with survival rarely exceeding 20 months. The treatment of metastases in the corpora cavernosa is multidisciplinary. The best survival rates have been reported after a combination of penectomy and chemotherapy. The authors report a case of metastases to the corpora cavernosa after cystoprostatectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and discuss the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this rare entity     

膀胱癌合并前列腺增生经尿道同期电切术30例分析

目的　探讨同期行经尿道膀胱肿瘤加前列腺电切术治疗膀胱癌合并前列腺增生症患者的可行性及疗效。方法　回顾分析30例膀胱癌并前列腺增生患者的手术方法。 18例同期行经尿道膀胱肿瘤加前列腺电切术 (A组 ) ;12例单纯行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术 (B组 )。结果　随访 4～ 6 0个月 ,A组有 10例术后复发 ,异位复发 6例 (占 6 0 % ) ,无尿道、前列腺窝及膀胱造瘘口的转移或种植。B组 7例复发 ,异位复发 5例 (70 .1% ) ,3例随访期内因前列腺增生症再行经尿道前列腺电切术。结论　膀胱肿瘤合并前列腺增生患者同期行经尿道电切术 ,在切除肿瘤后应用Ellick吸除器吸尽切下膀胱内组织后再切除增生的前列腺组织 ,可以减少膀胱内肿瘤细胞种植机会 ,缩短住院时间 ,提高疗效     

Skin involvement from micropapillary bladder carcinoma as the first clinical manifestation of metastatic disease

Cutaneous metastases from transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder occur infrequently. We report the case of a 68-year-old man presenting with an isolated skin nodule a few weeks after local excision of a micropapillary bladder carcinoma. This rare variant of TCC, which is strikingly reminiscent of the histological pattern of ovarian papillary serous carcinoma, is associated with poor prognosis and apparently high metastatic potential.     

The perineal implantation of a bladder tumor through urethro-vasal reflux]

Perineal implantation of urinary bladder cancer in a 57-year-old male is reported. The patient had been suffering from incomplete paraplegia and neurogenic bladder for these 29 years because of accidental injury of lumbar spinal cord with episodes of bladder stones two times and right epididymitis three times, and presented urinary leakage from a perineal fistula. The fistula orifice was surrounded by a hard mass lesion. Bilateral swelling of inguinal lymph nodes was present. Fistulogram and voiding cysto-urethrography revealed reflux from posterior urethra to the fistula through right vas and epididymis. Histological diagnosis of resected perineal mass and biopsied left inguinal lymph node was transitional cell carcinoma with predominant metaplasia of squamous cell carcinoma. Tissues obtained by TUR-biopsy of a mass lesion at bladder wall was also histologically diagnosed transitional cell carcinoma with metaplasia of squamous cell carcinoma. The present case indicates implantation of a bladder tumor to perineum by urethero-vasal reflux and metastases to inguinal lymphnodes from the perineal lesion.     

Paraneoplastic production of heparin-like anticoagulant in a patient with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma

It has been reported that patients with bladder cancer have widely varying paraneoplastic consequences, including metabolic, dermatologic, myopathic and neurologic disturbances. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with advanced transitional cell carcinoma and liver metastases, who developed a severe coagulopathy following robotic radical cystoprostatectomy due to circulating heparin-like substances prior to onset of liver failure. Heparin-like anticoagulant production is a rare paraneoplastic effect documented in concert with transitional cell carcinoma, breast carcinoma and hematological malignancies.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in normal urothelium, and superficial and advanced transitional cell carcinoma of bladder

PURPOSE: We compared the differential expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in normal bladder tissue, primary bladder transitional cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma metastases to lymph nodes, and determined whether cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with molecular alterations commonly found in bladder transitional cell carcinoma and clinical outcomes after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for cyclooxygenase-2, survivin (Novus Biologicals, Littleton, Colorado), p21, p27, pRB, p53, MIB-1, Bax, Bcl-2, cyclin D(1) (Dakotrade mark), cyclin E (Oncogene, Cambridge, Massachusetts) and caspase-3 (Cell Signaling, Beverley, Massachusetts) was performed on archival bladder specimens from 9 subjects who underwent cystectomy for benign causes, 21 patients who underwent transurethral resection and 157 consecutive patients after radical cystectomy, and on 41 positive lymph nodes. RESULTS: Cyclooxygenase-2 was expressed in none of the 9 normal bladder specimens (0%), 52% of transurethral resection specimens, 62% of cystectomy specimens and 80% of lymph nodes involved with transitional cell carcinoma. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was associated with higher pathological stage, lymphovascular invasion and metastases to lymph nodes (p=0.001, 0.045 and 0.002, respectively). Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was associated with altered expression of p53 (p=0.039), pRB (p=0.025), cyclin D1 (p=0.034) and caspase-3 (p=0.014). On univariate analysis cyclooxygenase-2 expression was associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence and bladder cancer specific mortality (p=0.0189 and 0.0472, respectively). However, on multivariate analysis only pathological stage and metastases to lymph nodes were associated with disease recurrence (p<0.001 and <0.001) and survival (p<0.001 and 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cyclooxygenase-2 is not expressed in normal bladder urothelium. Cyclooxygenase-2 over expression is associated with pathological and molecular features of biologically aggressive disease, suggesting a role for cyclooxygenase-2 in bladder cancer development and invasion.     

Leiomyosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma in the urinary bladder: a case report

A 74-year-old man was admitted for asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria. He had undergone transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) due to transitional cell carcinoma 30 years ago. Pelvic CT showed two invasive bladder tumors. A 5 cm tumor was on the dome and a 1 cm tumor was on the left lateral wall. TURBT was performed. Pathological examination revealed that they were leiomyosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma. Radical cystectomy plus bilateral cutaneousureterostomy was performed. He died of lung metastases and local recurrence after 6 months.     

Bladder carcinoma metastases presenting as intraperitoneal dissemination without local recurrence: a case report

A 76-year-old woman presented with gross hematuria and was referred to our OPD. Cystoscopy showed broad-based papillary tumors on the left bladder wall. TUR-BT was performed and pathological diagnosis was grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma of pT1a. Although no intravesical tumor recurrence had been observed, a solid palpable mass was noted in the lower abdomen nine months after TUR-BT, and computed tomography suggested a large ovarian tumor. Subsequently performed was the operation at Gynecology, which revealed a large tumor involving the whole major omentum. Frozen sections of the tumor were diagnosed as transitional cell carcinoma metastases of the bladder cancer, and the final pathological report was the same. Although receiving 4 courses of M-VAC systemic chemotherapy after the operation, she died 14 months later. Autopsy disclosed intraperitoneal cancer dissemination and metastases without any intravesical nor left perivesical tumor recurrence, and it was suggested that the bladder tumor metastases occurred not by direct invasion but by either lymphatic or vascular mechanism in this case.