Bladder cancer is relatively common in adults. In children, it is extremely rare and in the majority of cases, low grade, low stage urothelial cancers are found.
We describe the diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up management of bladder cancer in a 3-year-old boy examined for painless hematuria. Transurethral resection of the tumor was performed and T1 high grade urothelial cancer with osseous metaplasia was found in definitive specimens. During the 2-year follow-up, there has been no recurrence. Typical characteristics of the most prevalent bladder tumors are presented.
Despite its low incidence and low prevalence bladder cancer in children is a very serious condition which must not be missed in the differential diagnosis of hematuria or urinary tract infection. It is vital to differentiate urothelial cancer from hamartoma and nephrogenic adenoma and, particularly in osseous metaplasia, from sarcomatoid carcinoma. Especially in high-grade cancers, precise TUR of the tumor with a careful follow-up is essential to detect cancer recurrence and reduce progression.
Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia. 2016 Oct 03 [Epub ahead of print]
Milan Kral, Jaroslav Michalek, Jozef Skarda, Tomas Tichy, Oldrich Smakal, Roman Kodet, Vladimir Student
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic., Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic., Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty Hospital Motol and 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.