Urinary cytodiagnostic abnormalities in 50 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Abstract

Urinary cytodiagnostic evaluation was performed on 50 consecutive patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas. In 14 patients (28%) the urine sediment contained characteristic lymphoma cells. The groups with or without a positive urine cytology were comparable with respect to type of lymphoma, stage and course of disease, and recent treatment with chemotherapy. However, those with a positive urine cytology were more likely to have clinical evidence of kidney disease (43% vs 8%), although this was rarely attributed to disseminated lymphoma. In fact, in three patients, a positive urine cytology was the sole or presenting evidence for disseminated lymphoma. Although the groups with or without a positive cytology were similar with regard to physicochemical urinary findings, there were marked differences in the frequency of microscopic abnormalities. All patients with a positive cytology had evidence of renal parenchymal necrosis, renal tubular injury, or pathologic cast formation as compared with only 56% of those with a negative cytology. Thus, urinary cytodiagnostic evaluation may provide an important adjunct in the staging and evaluation of patients with malignant lymphomas.

Can circulated lung cancer cells pass to the urine without apparent urine tract metastases?

“…Nevertheless, in the study by Cheson et al [7] 28% of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma did present tumor cells in the urinary sediment, three of them with no apparent metastasis. This is not surprising given the fact that urinary tract is a quite frequent metastatic site for lymphoma cells [8,9], as observed in autopsy series.…”

Urinary tract involvement of mantle cell lymphoma diagnosed by urine cytology

“…Microscopic examination of urine as a diagnostic aid for detecting genitourinary involvement by lymphoma has been recognized previously . Typically, lymphoma cells appear as single cells, without clusters or cellular aggregates.…”

“…In our case, the lymphoma cells in the urine most likely originated from the urinary bladder rather than the kidney, based on the presence of a mass in the urinary bladder on CT scan and lack of evidence suggesting renal injury. Patients with lymphomatous renal involvement typically have pathologic casts in their urine and evidence of renal tubular injury or ischemic parenchymal necrosis …”

Urinary Frequency as a Presentation of Bulky Malignant Lymphoma in the Pelvis

“…In a report of 50 consecutive patients with ML, 14 (28%) had positive cytological findings [5]. However, lymphoma cells are very fragile in urine sediments [6], and it is difficult to obtain sufficient material for immunocytological staining [7].…”