Histopathological aspects of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: Analysis of 20 years experience

Abstract

Background: In this study we used histopathological examinations performed over a 20-year period to describe the characteristics of newly diagnosed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder in relation to patient age, and to verify changes in the TCC over different periods of observation or in relation to patient age. Methods: We reviewed all histopathological examinations performed from January 1979 to December 1998 in patients undergoing surgery who were newly diagnosed with TCC of the bladder. All examinations were performed by the same pathologist and reviewed by two pathologists. In each case analyzed, we evaluated T classification of the tumor, histological grade, size, localization, growth type, multiplicity and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Results: The study population included 3113 men and 620 women. The mean patient age was 66.31 +/- 10.84 years. A high percentage of Ta (52.2%) and T1 (27.7%) tumors were found. The number of cases observed and, in particular, the percentage of Ta tumors increased significantly and progressively from the first (1979-1983 = 376 cases; Ta = 37.8%) to the last (1994-1998 = 1732 cases; Ta = 56.3%) period of observation (P < 0.001). A significant difference in the distribution of histological grade and T classification in the different age decades was apparent (P < 0.001); in particular, for G1 and Ta tumors there was a trend to decrease, whereas for G3, T1 and T2 tumors there was a tendency to increase with age decades. Conclusion: In our analysis, age of patient and the period of examination significantly influenced different pathological characteristics of newly diagnosed TCC of the bladder

Urothelial progenitor cells: regional differences in the rat bladder

“…The bladder neck is the second most common site (29%) and the trigone is the third (22%) (Sciarra et al 2004). The bladder neck is the second most common site (29%) and the trigone is the third (22%) (Sciarra et al 2004).…”

“…1). Yet, there is a regional disparity in occurrence of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions of the epithelium (Stephenson et al 1990;Sciarra et al 2004). On the other hand, the epithelium is thought to be homogenous without significant variation (Jost et al 1989b).…”

“…On the other hand, the epithelium is thought to be homogenous without significant variation (Jost et al 1989b). Yet, there is a regional disparity in occurrence of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions of the epithelium (Stephenson et al 1990;Sciarra et al 2004). For this reason, we have hypothesized that the urothelium is not homogenous and that progenitor cells are not evenly distributed.…”

Bladder Neck Urothelial Carcinoma

“…There are significant differences in neoplastic growth among the different subsites within the urinary bladder with the lateral wall and trigone being the most common locations of bladder carcinoma. [1][2][3] The bladder neck is the most distal portion of the bladder. Although its mucosa only accounts for a small fraction of bladder luminal surface, it is an important and functionally distinct unit.…”

“…Although its mucosa only accounts for a small fraction of bladder luminal surface, it is an important and functionally distinct unit. There are only a few studies of the bladder neck carcinoma (BNC) in the literature with the clinicopathologic features of BNC inconsistently described, [1][2][3][4] reflecting the different definitions as well as the methods used in these studies. The bladder neck is a common place of tumor extension from adjacent bladder subsites.…”