Key clinical message
Neuroendocrine tumors of the bladder are rare, accounting for less than
1% of all bladder tumors. Among these, large cell neuroendocrine
carcinoma is an extremely uncommon subtype. We report on a
histologically confirmed case of mixed both large and small cells
neuroendocrine tumor of the bladder in a 64-year-old male with a history
of bilharzial cystitis.
The diagnosis was made after radical cystectomy with Immunohistochemical
staining revealing positivity for synaptophysin, CD56 and AE1/3.
While bilharzia is commonly linked to squamous cell carcinoma in the
bladder, the potential relationship with neuroendocrine tumors is still
relatively unexplored in this context. This case marks the first
reported instance of the atypical coexistence of bilharzial cystitis and
mixed large and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder. This
unique case of coexisting bilharzial cystitis and mixed neuroendocrine
bladder tumor highlights a rare phenomenon warranting further study.
Similar associations have been documented in other organs, emphasizing
the importance of exploring underlying mechanisms and clinical
implications for improved patient care and outcomes.
Keywords : Neuroendocrine tumor, Bladder, Bilharzial cystitis,
Mixed large and small cell carcinoma, Immunohistochemistry.