Superficial Bladder Tumors In Childhood
PURPOSE To present the clinical, histological features and the prognosis of superficial bladder tumors (SBT) in childhood. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 6 male children, 4-14 yrs old (mean age 11yrs.), treated at our Department between 1984 and 2006, were found to have SBT. Presenting symptoms included gross heamaturia in 5, irritative voiding and microscopic heamaturia in 1. Initial diagnosis was made by ultrasound. Cystoscopy confirmed the diagnosis and 5 patients underwent transurethral resection of the tumor which was solitary. The remaining patient underwent transvesical excision due to the presence of two exophytic lesions measuring 3,2 and 2,5 cm in diameter respectively. Follow up consisted of ultrasound which was performed every 3 months in the first year and every 6 months later. RESULTS Pathologic evaluation revealed low grade pTa transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in 5 cases and nephrogenic adenoma (NA) in 1. The case with NA had been operated on obstructive megaureter in early infancy.During follow up (2-24 years), there was no evidence of relapse. CONCLUSIONS Despite the fact that S.B.T. are rare in childhood, all children presented with gross heamaturia must be investigated. Bladder ultrasound is the most sensitive scan in exophytic lesions > 3mm. The appropriate treatment option is transurethral resection of the tumor which mostly is solitary. During follow up there was no evidence of relapse.