Carcinomas in the bladder with papillary and pseudopapillary morphology - not always urothelial

Abstract

Abstract Background Urothelial carcinoma shows wide plasticity and broad morphologic spectrum. In many instances, the presence of papillary morphology is reassuring of the urothelial histogenesis of a high-grade invasive lesion but is not pathognomonic. Case presentation We reported herein four cases of carcinomas in the bladder with papillary morphology that had a final diagnosis different from urothelial carcinoma (3% of cases in a 42-month period). In high-grade tumors involving the urinary tract, the presence of papillary/pseudopapillary morphology is not sufficient to render a diagnosis of papillary urothelial carcinoma. Prostate adenocarcinoma, primary bladder adenocarcinoma or metastasis must be excluded in selected case scenarios.

Keywords

• Urologic neoplasms
• Bladder cancer
• Pathology