Lymphoma Affecting the Urinary Bladder in Three Dogs and a Cat

Abstract

Three dogs and one cat with lymphoma affecting the urinary bladder are reported and the findings on abdominal radiographs and ultrasound are described. Mural lesions representing lymphoma affecting the urinary bladder were identified ultrasonographically in all animals. The most common complications associated with urinary bladder lymphoma were hydronephrosis and hydroureter. In two patients contrast radiography was necessary to detect leakage of urine in the peritoneal and retroperitoneal space. The radiographic and ultrasonographic signs were similar to those reported with other urinary bladder neoplasms; hence urinary bladder lymphoma could not be distinguished from the more common urinary bladder neoplasms, such as transitional cell carcinoma. It is important to include lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of urinary bladder wall thickening and mural mass in dogs and cats.

Fibrosarcoma of the urinary bladder in a cat

“…2,5 However, the presence of vascularisation should increase suspicion for neoplasia. 2,9,11 In this cat, abdominal ultrasound showed a vascularised lesion of mixed echogenicity occupying almost the entire lumen of the urinary bladder. After catheterisation and distension of the urinary bladder with saline solution, the mass appeared to arise from the cranial and dorsal aspect of the urinary wall.…”

“…Non-epithelial tumours are represented by leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, fibroma, haemangioma, haemangiosarcoma and lymphoma. 1–12 A case of histiocytic sarcoma of the urinary bladder has been reported in a dog. 13 Nerve sheath tumour and lipoma of the urinary bladder have also been reported in the feline species; but, to date, fibrosarcomas have been described only in dogs.…”

Lower Urinary Tract Cancer

“…75,76,78 In cats with urinary bladder lymphoma, feline leukemia virus (with or without feline immunodeficiency virus) testing should be performed. 85 There is 1 report of suspected paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia in a cat with urinary bladder TCC and widespread metastasis. 90 Hematuria and pyuria are common, and neoplastic cells in the urine have been identified in rare cases, 76,80 but atypical transitional cells in urine, as discussed in canine TCC, should always be interpreted with caution.…”

“…[75][76][77][78][79][80] Others include various sarcomas, 75,81,82 leiomyomas, 83 lipomas, 84 and lymphoma, either as part of multicentric disease or localized to the urinary bladder. 75,77,78,85,86 Patient Evaluation Overview Signalment Older cats (median age, 10-15 years) are predisposed to urinary bladder tumors in general, but lymphoma may be seen in cats as young as 1 year of age. 75,76,[78][79][80] A male predisposition has been seen in some studies but not others, 76,78,80 and there is no known breed predilection.…”

“…69,79,[83][84][85][86] Rarely, TCC is diagnosed in cats presenting for non-urinary-tract-related signs. 76,78,80 Because the median age of cats with urinary bladder neoplasia is significantly older than cats with idiopathic lower urinary tract disease, 89 lower urinary tract signs in any older cat should raise the suspicion for neoplasia; cats with severe clinical signs (eg, marked hematuria) or cats with chronic intermittent lower urinary tract signs also bear further investigation for an underlying cause.…”