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urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation
Monday 18 February 2019
Definition : Urothelial carcinoma is well known for its divergent differentiation resulting in distinct, morphological variants. Squamous differentiation, defined by the presence of intercellular bridges, keratinization, or both, is the most common variant, occurring in up to 20% of urothelial carcinomas of the bladder, followed by glandular differentiation.
Although urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation may be associated with
poor prognosis, conflicting data have been reported regarding the role of squamous differentiation in unfavorable clinical outcomes.
Because it is not uncommon for squamous differentiation to concurrently occur with other histological variants of urothelial carcinoma, such as micropapillary, glandular, and sarcomatoid differentiation, studies that report on mixed urothelial carcinoma variants may contribute to the discrepancies.
Transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder showing squamous metaplasia are mainly resistant to radiotherapy and alternative treatment methods should be sought.
See also
urothelial carcinoma
squamous differentiation / squamous metaplasia
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