Diagnosis and treatment in primary bladder small cell carcinoma: Literature review

Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2016 Mar 31;88(1):52-5. doi: 10.4081/aiua.2016.1.52.

Abstract

Small cell bladder carcinoma is a rare and frequently fatal disease. It can be distinguished from classical urothelial carcinoma microscopically and immunohistochemically. Small cell bladder carcinoma has histologically similar properties with other small cell carcinomas in other organs. It has a worse prognosis when compared to urothelial bladder cancer. Multimodal treatments are recommended although there is no widely accepted consensus regarding to the treatment algorithm because of its rarity. In this review, clinical properties and diagnosis of small cell bladder carcinoma, its histopathological and immunohistochemical properties and treatment modalities are examined.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / therapy*