A practical approach to bladder sampling and diagnostic reporting of pathological findings.

The most common bladder specimens are obtained from endoscopic biopsies and transurethral resections (TURB), both of which sample subepithelial tissue of varying depth. Other specimens can be obtained from cystectomy, cystoprostatectomy, pelvic exenteration ("en bloc" resection), and partial cystectomy including resection of diverticulae and surgical excision of a urachal carcinoma. The correct assessment of bladder specimens may provide clinically relevant diagnostic and prognostic data. This protocol is intended to assist pathologists in providing clinically useful information as a result of examination of surgical specimens.