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Eble JN, Sauter G., Epstein JI, Sesterhenn IA - iarc

Eble JN, Sauter G., Epstein JI, Sesterhenn IA - iarc

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A<br />

Fig. 2.15 A Infiltrating urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, plasmocytoid variant. B Plasmacytoid variant of<br />

urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder.<br />

exclusive component in a small biopsy<br />

sample. The importance of recognizing<br />

these variants lies in not mistaking them<br />

as a lymphoma or plasmacytoma.<br />

Limited information is available about the<br />

outcome of patients with these variants of<br />

urothelial carcinoma. Of 6 cases reported<br />

by Tamboli et al. {2571} 4 died of their<br />

disease, one died post-operatively and<br />

one is alive without evidence of disease.<br />

Sarcomatoid variant<br />

(with/without heterologous elements)<br />

The term sarcomatoid variant of urothelial<br />

carcinoma should be used for all<br />

biphasic malignant neoplasms exhibiting<br />

morphologic and/or immunohistochemical<br />

evidence of epithelial and mesenchymal<br />

differentiation (with the presence or<br />

absence of heterologous elements<br />

acknowledged in the diagnosis). There is<br />

considerable confusion and disagreement<br />

in the literature regarding nomenclature<br />

and histogenesis of these<br />

tumours. In some series, both carcinosarcoma<br />

and sarcomatoid carcinoma<br />

are included as "sarcomatoid carcinoma"<br />

{2175}. In others they are regarded as<br />

separate entities.<br />

The mean age is 66 years (range, 50-77<br />

years old) and most patients present with<br />

hematuria {1555,2175}. A previous history<br />

of carcinoma treated by radiation or<br />

the exposition to cyclophosphamide<br />

therapy is common {1551}. Rare examples<br />

of carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid<br />

carcinomas have been described in the<br />

ureter and the renal pelvis {1549}.<br />

The gross appearance is characteristically<br />

"sarcoma-like", dull grey with infiltrative<br />

margins. The tumours are often polypoid<br />

with large intraluminal masses.<br />

Microscopically, sarcomatoid carcinoma<br />

is composed of urothelial, glandular or<br />

small cell component showing variable<br />

degrees of differentiation {1555}. A small<br />

B<br />

A<br />

C<br />

subset of sarcomatoid carcinoma may<br />

have a prominent myxoid stroma {1238}.<br />

The mesenchymal component most frequently<br />

observed is an undifferentiated<br />

high grade spindle cell neoplasm. The<br />

most common heterologous element is<br />

osteosarcoma followed by chondrosarcoma,<br />

rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma,<br />

liposarcoma angiosarcoma or<br />

multiple types of heterologous differentiation<br />

may be present {957,1238,1549,<br />

1555,2175}. By immunohistochemistry,<br />

epithelial elements react with cytokeratins,<br />

whereas stromal elements react<br />

with vimentin or specific markers corresponding<br />

to the mesenchymal differentiation.<br />

The sarcomatoid phenotype<br />

retains the epithelial nature of the cells by<br />

immunohistochemistry or electronmicroscopy<br />

{1549,1555}. Recent molecular<br />

studies, strongly argue for a monoclonal<br />

origin of both components {957}.<br />

The cytological atypia of sarcomatoid<br />

carcinoma excludes non-neoplastic<br />

lesions such as the postoperative spindle<br />

cell nodule and inflammatory<br />

pseudotumour {1161,1550}. Sarcomatoid<br />

carcinoma should be distinguished<br />

from the rare carcinoma with metaplastic,<br />

benign-appearing bone or cartilage in<br />

the stroma or those showing other pseudosarcomatous<br />

stromal reactions.<br />

Nodal and distant organ metastases at<br />

diagnosis are common {957,1555,1960,<br />

2175} and 70% of patients died of cancer<br />

at 1 to 48 months (mean 17 months) {1555}<br />

Urothelial carcinoma with giant cells<br />

High grade urothelial carcinoma may<br />

contain epithelial tumour giant cells or the<br />

tumour may appear undifferentiated<br />

resembling giant cell carcinoma of the<br />

lung. This variant is very infrequent. It<br />

must be distinguished from occasional<br />

cases showing giant cells (osteoclastic or<br />

foreign body type) in the stroma or urothelial<br />

carcinoma showing trophoblastic differentiation.<br />

In some cases the giant cell<br />

reaction is so extensive that it may mimic<br />

giant cell tumour of the bone {2948}.<br />

Fig. 2.16 A Infiltrative urothelial carcinoma. Sarcomatoid variant without heterologous elements showing<br />

spindle cell morphology. B Infiltrating urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Sarcomatoid variant with heterologous<br />

smooth muscle elements. C Immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 in a case<br />

of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the urinary bladder (same case as in panel A). D Immunohistochemical<br />

expression of smooth muscle actin of the sarcomatoid carcinoma shown in panel B.<br />

B<br />

D<br />

102 Tumours of the urinary system

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