Bladder Masses
Synonyms/Description
Bladder tumor
Focal bladder lesion
Etiology
Transitional Cell Cancer
In the United States, bladder cancer is reportedly the fourth most common malignancy. The vast majority of bladder neoplasms arise from the epithelium, with urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma accounting for 90% of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma is rare and accounts for 2% to 15% of bladder cancers. The least common is adenocarcinoma, which may be primary or metastatic to the bladder.
Fibroma
Fibroma (leiomyoma) is the most common benign tumor of the bladder, although it represents only 0.4% of all bladder neoplasms. It is most prevalent among women in the third to fifth decades of life.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs as a fusiform mass in the bladder wall and is covered in the section on endometriosis.
Diffuse Bladder Wall Thickening
Diffuse bladder wall thickening is seen in cases of severe chronic cystitis or in chronic bladder outlet obstruction where the bladder becomes trabeculated (more common in males with large prostates).
Findings Specifically Related to the Ureteral Orifice
• Ureterocele
• Ureteral reimplantation site
• Stone at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) with edema of ureteral orifice
Urethral Diverticula
Urethral diverticula occur just under the bladder along the urethra. They can be quite painful, especially when the patient voids.
Other Bladder Masses
There are many benign tumors such as paraganglioma, plasmacytoma, hemangioma, neurofibroma, and lipoma that can occasionally (rarely) occur in the bladder. Malignant neoplasms reported in the bladder include rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and metastatic tumors such as melanoma.
Ultrasound Findings
Buy Membership for Obstetrics & Gynecology Category to continue reading. Learn more here
