Cytopathological expression of different types of urothelial carcinoma in situ in urinary bladder washings

Demir M.A.; Ryd W.; Aldenborg F.; Holmang S.

Cytopathological expression of different types of urothelial carcinoma in situ in urinary bladder washings

Date

2003

Authors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the cytopathological expression of the five major histological types of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in urinary bladder washings from patients with flat urothelial lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five cases of primary and secondary urothelial CIS with no concomitant tumours, and having tissue and cytological samples, were identified. Biopsies were evaluated based on the consensus classification as: large-cell pleomorphic; large-cell non-pleomorphic; small-cell; clinging; and cancerization of the urothelium. In the cytological classification the 'clinging' category was excluded, as its definition depends on the histological appearance. κ statistics were used to evaluate the correlation between histopathology and cytology. RESULTS: More than one subtype of CIS could often be identified in both the histological and cytological specimens. Cytology often showed more subtypes than did histopathology. Statistically, there was only a moderate correlation between histopathology and cytology for recognising different patterns. CONCLUSION: Different patterns of CIS can be identified by cytology; it is important for cytologists to be aware of the cytological spectrum of CIS and not to under-diagnose monomorphic, pagetoid (cancerization) and small-cell forms. Studies on treatments for CIS and of the clinical significance of different subtypes of CIS should include both cytopathology and histopathology.