Abstract
Background : Urothelial carcinoma (UC), plasmacytoid variant is a rare subtype of infiltrate urothelial carcinoma reported by Sahin et al. in 1991. This tumor is characterized by tumor cells that resemble plasma cells, and has a poor prognosis. We describe the cytologic and histologic findings, and clinical course of a case of UC, plasmacytoid variant, with peritoneal dissemination.
Case : A 72-years-old man presented with complaints of pollakiuria and dysuria. Cystoscopy indicated the edematous appearance of the bladder mucosa. Bladder washing cytology showed cellular features of UC, high grade. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor revealed UC, plasmacytoid variant and carcinoma in situ. Ascites fluid cytology demonstrated peritoneal dissemination of the UC, plasmacytoid variant. Urine cytology showed both tumor cells of UC, high grade and UC, plasmacytoid variant.
Conclusion : The presence of atypical cells with plasmacytoid features in urinary specimens should be considered as the differential diagnosis of UC, plasmacytoid variant. Furthermore, ascites fluid cytology may play an important role in the diagnosis of UC, plasmacytoid variant, because of its frequent peritoneal spread.
