A sensitive bladder: an atypical presentation of cancer in a U.S. Army pilot.
Bladder cancer is the most common cancer in the urinary tract, the vast majority (90%) of which are transitional cell carcinomas. A papilloma (grade I) lesion offers an excellent prognosis after excision, though recurrence is possible. The classic sign of bladder cancer is gross, painless hematuria. We report a case of transitional cell papillary carcinoma in an aircrew member with atypical presentation: irritative voiding symptoms without hematuria. With a careful history and physical, and aggressive clinical suspicion, an early diagnosis was made offering an excellent prognosis. The patient, an Army helicopter pilot, returned to flight status with a waiver.
Carter
R M
RM
Aeromedical Services, Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, Marana, AZ 85653-9598, USA.
Mansfield
J T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001706:Biopsy; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014567:Urography