Bladder carcinoma producing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF): a case report

An 84-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of leg edema and general fatigue. He had undergone transurethral resection of transitional cell bladder cancer, grade 3, pT1b, one year previously. The computed tomographic scan revealed a hypoattenuating bladder tumor, protruding extravesically. Laboratory examination showed remarkable leukocytosis of 46,900/mm3 in the peripheral blood and high value of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 226 pg/ml (normal: less than 30 pg/ml). The resection of the tumor (partial cystectomy) was performed. The histological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma, grade 3. The production of G-CSF was confirmed by immunohistochemical examination in the recurrent tumor and the surgical sample from the transurethral resection. The leukocyte count in the peripheral blood decreased to the normal range after surgery. But leukocytosis recurred one month postoperatively and the computed tomographic scan revealed intrapelvic tumor recurrence. He died due to drastic progression of recurrent tumor at three months postoperatively.