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Cytomorphology of high‐grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary tract
Author(s) -
Acs Geza,
Gupta Prabodh K.,
Baloch Zubair W.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0339(200008)23:2<92::aid-dc5>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - pathology , medicine , neuroendocrine differentiation , transitional cell carcinoma , carcinoma , urinary bladder , transitional cell , cytology , small cell carcinoma , bladder cancer , cancer , urology , prostate cancer
High‐grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder is a rare malignant tumor with poor prognosis. We present the cytomorphologic features of six retrospectively identified cases which displayed high‐grade tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation in bladder washings. Cytology specimens showed small‐to‐medium‐sized tumor cells with powdery chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and ill‐defined nuclear membranes. Tumor fragments showed prominent nuclear molding and single‐cell necrosis. All cases also revealed a varying proportion of tumor cells resembling the usual transitional‐cell carcinoma. Biopsy specimens from five cases demonstrated high‐grade transitional‐cell carcinoma with areas resembling small‐cell carcinoma. In one case the entire tumor consisted of classic small‐cell carcinoma and failed to show any areas of transitional‐cell differentiation. All cases were positive for neuroendocrine markers. Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the urinary bladder are rare, with cytological features similar to high‐grade neuroendocrine carcinomas seen in other organs. They can be accurately diagnosed cytologically, and an awareness of the cytomorphologic features is important. Diagn. Cytopathol. 23:92–96, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.