[Mixed transitional cell and small cell carcinoma of the bladder with metastases with neuroendocrine histology only. Case report and bibliography review].

OBJECTIVE

To report one case of transitional cell carcinoma with areas of small cell carcinoma presenting in its evolution an adrenal metastasis with the neuroendocrine component only. We perform a bibliography review for the cases of small cell carcinoma of the bladder, its epidemiology, prognosis and treatment.

METHODS

We describe the clinical case and perform a Medline review.

RESULTS

Small cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare entity with a more aggressive behaviour and poorer prognosis than transitional cell carcinoma. The pathologic characteristics allow differentiation of primary tumor and metastatic disease. In the bibliographic search we did not find any previous report of exclusive dissemination of the neuroendocrine histological component in cases of mixed tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no standard treatment for small cell carcinoma of the bladder. For metastatic disease the most commonly used combination is cisplatin and etoposide.