Pure Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder- A propos of 5 Cases

Abstract

Objective: Pure primary small cell carcinoma (PSCC) of the bladder is a rare tumor, and patients commonly present with metastatic disease. No prospective studies evaluating the most efficient treatment have been published. We reviewed our experience with treating these tumors to evaluate their histopathological characteristics and clinical outcome.
Patients and Methods: This study presents our experience in 5 patients with PSCC of the bladder during a 7-year period. The patients\' tumor characteristics, therapy, follow-up and survival status were documented.
Results: All patients were male with a mean age of 67 years. The main clinical presentation was macroscopic hematuria. All tumors were invasive at the time of diagnosis. Systemic chemotherapy was given in 4 patients, and one patient was treated by radical cystectomy. The overall median survival was 17 months.
Conclusion: PSCC of the bladder should be considered a systemic disease, because most patients present with metastases. Prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment.


Keywords: bladder neoplasm, chemotherapy, chromogranin, small cell carcinoma, synaptophysin

African Journal of Urology Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp. 193-197