title: Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder:  a rare tumor with propensity for hepatic involvement.
abstract: Small cell (neuroendocrine) carcinoma of the bladder is a rare entity, accounting for less than 1% of all bladder tumors. The authors report 2 new cases of the disease, both presenting with liver metastasis. In the first case, small cell carcinoma occurred in an 85-year-old woman as tumor recurrence of previous micropapillary carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma in situ, illustrating the common coexistence with conventional urothelial carcinoma. In the second case of a 58-year-old man, non-small cell tumor components were not observed. Accurate diagnosis of small cell carcinoma may be challenging. A panel of different antibodies, including neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A, synaptophysin and CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule) is recommended. In conclusion, small cell carcinoma represents a rare and aggressive form of bladder malignancy. As illustrated by the 2 cases and according to the literature review, the tumor shows a so far underrecognized propensity for hepatic involvement.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Nora I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zigeuner
authors.forename: Cord
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Langner
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy