[Skin metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder].

OBJECTIVES

An additional case of cutaneous metastasis arising from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is described. Its form of presentation, dissemination pattern, pathological features, clinical course and treatment are briefly discussed.

METHODS

This article reports on a 62-year-old male with bladder carcinoma stage PT3B, PN0, PMx, who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy and detubularized ileal neobladder four months earlier.

RESULTS

A solid tumor with an ulcerated surface was found on the dorsal side of the left shoulder. Microscopic analysis disclosed neoplastic cells resembling transitional cells in dermis, the first manifestation of distant tumoral spread. Patient survival was only two months.

CONCLUSIONS

Transitional cell carcinoma of bladder metastasizing to the skin is an uncommon finding despite the high incidence of this tumor, although more cases are being reported. Skin metastasis generally presents in the late stages of this disease and indicates a poor outcome.