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Squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in patients with chronic spinal cord injury: A case series

Spinal Cord Series and Cases volume 10, Article number: 67 (2024) Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Introduction

Patients with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) are on a 16–28 folder higher risk for bladder cancer [1]. Whereas in the general population 90% of bladder tumors are transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients with NLUTD have a shift to squamous cell carcinoma with 36,8% and only 46.3% TCC [2]. In addition, there is a significant increase in the bladder cancer-specific death rate in SCI patients (3rd most common) compared to the general population (10th most common) [2]. Chronic inflammation and mechanical irritation by permanent indwelling catheters are discussed as risk factors for developing bladder cancer. Typical symptoms of bladder cancer are often absent in patients with NLUTD and a reliable screening has not been established.

Case presentation

We present a case series of six patients with SCI and with squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed in the last 5 years in our institution. In five patients, bladder management was performed by indwelling suprapubic catheters, one patient used reflex voiding. Three patients were diagnosed during the regular, annual neuro-urological check-up, the remaining due to increasing spasticity and autonomic dysregulation. Subsequently, five patients underwent cystectomy with ileal conduit or uretercutaneostomy, one patient refused further surgical treatment. Four patients died within one year after diagnosis.

Discussion

Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder is more common in patients with NLUTD. Chronic inflammation and mechanical irritation may be the reasons for carcinoma genesis. A regular check including cystoscopy is strongly recommended to detect tumor development early.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Microscopical aspects of a squamous bladder cell carcinoma: pleomorphism, hyperchromasia, and keratinization of the tumor cells invading suburothelial tissue.
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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuro-Urology, Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil, Switzerland

    Patrick Levien, Jürgen Pannek & Jens Wöllner

  2. Department of Urology, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Jürgen Pannek

  3. VascPath Switzerland, Bern, Switzerland

    Jan Janzen

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  1. Patrick Levien
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  2. Jürgen Pannek
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  3. Jan Janzen
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  4. Jens Wöllner
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Contributions

PL: Data collecting and analysis, write the Manuscript. JJ: Provision of histopathological images and description of the findings in them. JP: Advice and helped write the manuscript. JW: Helped write the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Patrick Levien.

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Levien, P., Pannek, J., Janzen, J. et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in patients with chronic spinal cord injury: A case series. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 10, 67 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-024-00680-z

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