Incidental diagnosis of microfilariae in urine in a case of prostatic carcinoma: A case report with a cytohistological correlation

Abstract

Filariasis is an endemic parasitic infection commonly found in the tropics and subtropics, such as India. Microfilariae have been reported in various cytological samples, but they are rare to find in urine samples. The presence of microfilariae in urine can be incidental or associated with other malignancies. The cytological examination can help diagnose such cases. Clinically, it may present unusually as achylous hematuria and a urinary bladder mass lesion, mimicking bladder cancer. There have been a few reported cases of microfilariae in urine along with prostatic malignancy, and the present case highlights the same. Here, we report a treated case of metastatic prostatic carcinoma presenting as a bladder mass in a 61-year-old male, who was diagnosed with microfilariasis in urine cytology. This case is presented not only for its dual pathology or rare occurrence but also to emphasize that an incidental finding can help in treating it medically with no surgical intervention.

Keywords

• cytology
• filariasis
• prostatic carcinoma
• wuchereria bancrofti