[Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder metastatic to bone marrow presenting as isolated anaemia and thrombocytopenia]. / Anemia y trombopenia aisladas por infiltración de médula ósea de un carcinoma urotelial de vejiga.

OBJECTIVES: Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the bladder are usually aggressive and may produce bone metastases that infiltrate the bone marrow. Most of these cases present with bone symptoms and metastases and are detected with imaging tests. It is extremely rare for asymptomatic patients with a normal bone scan to have bone marrow involvement (anaemia and thrombocytopenia) due to tumour infiltration. We aim to examine that state with a case report. METHODS: We present the case of a 41-year old male with infiltrating TCC of the bladder, who presented with isolated, unexplained anaemia and thrombocytopenia after radical cystoprostatectomy. A bone marrow puncture was required, in which metastatic infiltration was revealed. We performed a literature search of similar cases. RESULTS: There are very few cases of TCC with bone marrow infiltration which become apparent only through haematological changes and have normal imaging tests. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with infiltrating carcinoma of the bladder with isolated haematological changes and a negative extension study should be assessed by bone marrow puncture for correct staging and to be able to offer the best treatment.

Anemia y trombopenia aisladas por infiltración de médula ósea de un carcinoma urotelial de vejiga / Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder metastatic to bone marrow presenting as isolated anaemia and thrombocytopenia

OBJETIVOS: Los carcinomas uroteliales de vejiga suelen ser agresivos y pueden producir metástasis óseas que infiltren la médula ósea. La mayoría de estos casos presentan síntomas óseos y se objetivan las metástasis con pruebas de imagen. Es muy raro que pacientes asintomáticos y con un rastreo óseo normal presenten afectación medular (anemia y trombopenia) por infiltración tumoral. Lo que pretendemos es analizar esa situación a propósito de un caso.MÉTODOS: Presentamos el caso de un varón de 41 años con un carcinoma urotelial de vejiga infiltrante que tras cistoprostatectomia radical presentó anemia y trombopenia aisladas e inexplicables que obligó a realizar una punción de médula ósea objetivándose infiltración metastásica a dicho nivel. Realizamos una búsqueda bibliográfica de casos similares. RESULTADOS: Existen muy pocos casos de carcinoma urotelial con infiltración de la médula ósea que se manifiesten solamente por alteraciones hematológicas y tengan las pruebas de imagen normales.CONCLUSIONES: Se debe valorar en pacientes con carcinoma infiltrante de vejiga con alteraciones hematológicas aisladas con estudio de extensión negativo realizar una punción de médula ósea para estadiar correctamente al paciente y poder ofrecer el mejor tratamiento(AU)

OBJECTIVES: Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the bladder are usually aggressive and may produce bone metastases that infiltrate the bone marrow. Most of these cases present with bone symptoms and metastases and are detected with imaging tests. It is extremely rare for asymptomatic patients with a normal bone scan to have bone marrow involvement (anaemia and thrombocytopenia) due to tumour infiltration. We aim to examine that state with a case report.METHODS: We present the case of a 41-year old male with infiltrating TCC of the bladder, who presented with isolated, unexplained anaemia and thrombocytopenia after radical cystoprostatectomy. A bone marrow puncture was required, in which metastatic infiltration was revealed. We performed a literature search of similar cases.RESULTS: There are very few cases of TCC with bone marrow infiltration which become apparent only through haematological changes and have normal imaging tests.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with infiltrating carcinoma of the bladder with isolated haematological changes and a negative extension study should be assessed by bone marrow puncture for correct staging and to be able to offer the best treatment(AU)