Synchronous squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney, squamous cell carcinoma of the ureter, and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report

Pathol Res Pract. 2010 Jun 15;206(6):379-83. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2009.07.021. Epub 2009 Sep 18.

Abstract

The author presents a unique case of a synchronous triple carcinoma of kidney, ureter, and urinary bladder. A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of hematuria and lumbago. Endoscopy and imaging modalities revealed a bladder tumor, a left ureter tumor, and a left kidney tumor. No other tumors were found in the body by imaging modalities. Cystectomy and left nephroureterectomy were performed. The bladder tumor was a large polypoid tumor consisting of pleomorphic sarcomatoid carcinoma (80%) and high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (20%), both invading the deep muscle layer. There were gradual merges between the two. The sarcomatous component was composed of malignant spindle, polygonal, and giant cells. Lymphovascular permeation was pronounced. Immunohistochemically, the sarcomatous element was positive for vimentin and various types of cytokeratins (CK), while the urothelial carcinoma element was positive for various types of CK and negative for vimentin. The ureter tumor was small and obstructed the ureter lumen. It was a pure squamous cell carcinoma without a urothelial component. The ureter tumor invaded the adventitia. A mild degree of lymphovascular invasion was recognized. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for various types of CK but negative for vimentin. In the kidney, almost the entire kidney parenchyma was replaced by a tumor. The renal pelvis was broadly erosive but was free of apparent tumors. Histologically, the renal tumor was a pure squamous cell carcinoma without a urothelial component. Broad necrosis was present, and lymphovascular permeation was pronounced. The renal pelvis and calices were devoid of apparent tumor cells, but renal squamous cell carcinoma was present just beneath the pelvis and calices. Immunohistochemically, the kidney tumor was positive for various types of CK and negative for vimentin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Ureteral Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ureteral Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor