RESUMO
A 15 year (1988 - 2002) retrospective study was undertaken to determine the frequency and histological pattern of bladder neoplasms seen in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Benin City; Nigeria. Forty-five cases were diagnosed. Males predominated constituting 35 (77.8) cases; giving a M:F ratio of 3.5:1 with ages ranging from 1.5 - 75 years. Malignant neoplasms (40 cases) accounted for 88.9 of the bladder tumours and 1.85 of all malignant neoplasms seen during the study period. Contrary to most reports; the malignant neoplasms were predominantly transitional cell carcinoma constituting 27(67.2) cases; with peak in the 7th and 8th decades; mean age of 61 years (SD + 13.3) and an age range of 33 - 75 years. Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) was relatively rare accounting for 15 malignant tumours. SqCC patients had a lower mean age 42 years (SD + 27.5) with ages ranging from 11 - 64 years. None of the SqCC cases showed evidence of schistosoma ova. Rhabdomyosarcoma; fibrosarcoma; non Hodgkin's lymphoma and metastatic tumours constituted 7.5; 2.5; 2.5 and 5 of the malignant tumours respectively. The benign tumours were all squamous papillomas comprising 5(11.1) cases. Haematuria screening for individuals in high risk occupation; and provision of pipe borne water were recommended