A rare presentation of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder in a woman living with human immunodeficiency virus: a case report

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the bladder is rare, aggressive, and associated with early dissemination. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman living with human immunodeficiency (HIV), virally suppressed on antiretroviral therapy (ART), who presented with painless gross haematuria. Initial imaging showed a large bladder mass without metastases. Transurethral resection confirmed SCNEC with a high proliferation index. A multidisciplinary decision was made to proceed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a cisplatin-etoposide regimen, followed by radical cystectomy on completion. However, on post-chemotherapy staging, disease progression was noted, and the patient died from disease-related complications. This case highlights the aggressive biology of this rare tumour and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Published in African Urology. The abstract is shown as published and remains the work of its authors; read the full article at the source.

africanurology.com/index.php/au/article/view/378