Differentiation of Urothelial Carcinoma into Two Distinct Subtypes, Glandular and Squamous, in Three Different Organs

Cureus. 2020 Mar 15;12(3):e7280. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7280.

Abstract

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a unique entity with different histological variants: squamous, glandular, small cell, micropapillary, sarcomatoid, and plasmacytoid. Each of those subtypes behaves differently. As such, and in many scenarios, an accurate histological diagnosis is of paramount importance to dictate the therapeutic approach. We hereby present a unique case of urothelial carcinoma that differentiated into two distinct histological subtypes, squamous and glandular, in three different organs within the genitourinary tract. We also describe the pathological and clinical differences entailed between the two histological variants in bladder and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Keywords: glandular and epithelial neoplasms; renal pelvis; squamous cell neoplasm; transitional cell carcinoma; urinary bladder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports