Adenocarcinoma in the defunctionalized bladder.

A case of adenocarcinoma appearing in the bladder six years after supravesical urinary diversion is reported. The reason for the diversion was chronic bladder inflammation, as in all but one of the 11 earlier reported cases of carcinoma in defunctionalized bladder. The theory that chronic bladder inflammation favors the development of, or possibly leads to malignancy is reviewed,. The conclusion is a recommendation for periodic cystoscopy of the bladder "left behind", and possibly for cystectomy at the time of urinary diversion in patients with a long history of bladder inflammation.