Long-term follow-up of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in childhood

Abstract

Background: Bladder tumours are rare in children, with only 0.38% of cases occurring in the first two decades of life.

Objective: To describe a long-term follow-up series of nine urothelial bladder tumours in children.

Patients and methods: We carried out a retrospective study covering the period from 1988 until 2005. We found that during this time, urothelial tumours had been diagnosed at our centre in eight patients (9 tumours) younger than 18 years old who reported an episode of haematuria. Diagnosis was attained through renal and bladder ultrasound in 85% of patients, and through cystoscopy under anaesthesia in 15%. All cases were treated by means of transurethral resection of the bladder, with ensuing follow-up using renal and bladder ultrasound and urinary cytology.

Measurements: Patients characteristics and outcome are evaluated.

Results: Single exophytic tumours were present in seven (87.5%) of the patients, located either in the lateral wall or in the trigone; one patient showed two small tumours. The pathology was as follows: two G1Ta, one G1T1, one G2T1, and five G2Ta. There were no recurrences.

Conclusions: Transitional cell carcinoma in childhood is of low grade and low aggressiveness. It has a good prognosis and recurrences are infrequent. We suggest performing a urinary cytology/cystoscopy every 6 months the first 2 years and urinary cytology/bladder ultrasound once a year.

Keywords: Bladder; Childhood; Transitional cell carcinoma; Tumour.