Unusual glomus tumor of the bladder: a rare case report and literature review

Abstract

Background Glomus tumor (GT), which are neoplasms of the glomus body, usually occur in the extremities, particularly under the nail bed. GT occurring in the bladder is very rare and has been reported as sporadic. In the present study, a rare case of bladder GT is reported and its clinical and histopathological characteristics are summarized by literature review. Case presentation A 57-year-old woman presented with intermittent gross hematuria for 2 years. Urinalysis displayed hematuria. The bladder ultrasound showed an avascular and homogeneous isoechoic polypoid mass with a maximum diameter of 6 mm at the right lateral wall of bladder. The bladder endoscopic examination showed a polypoid lesion, with a smooth surface, located in the right lateral wall. Then, a transurethral resection was performed, its histopathological features indicated a benign GT. Conclusions GT arising in the bladder is extremely rare, and only four cases have been identified in studies reported in English. It is difficult to diagnose bladder GTs according to their clinical features. The gold standard method used for their diagnosis is histopathology. However, it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis for bladder mass.

Malignant glomus tumor of prostate: A case report

“…GTs rarely originate from the urinary tract. Only six cases of GT occurring in the bladder have been reported up to now ( 9 , 10 ). Gross hematuria is often the only symptom of GT in the lower urinary tract.…”

“…The ectopic GTs have the same histological and immunohistochemical features as those in limbs; it is vital for the diagnosis of ectopic GTs ( 12 ). In immunohistochemistry of GTs, the marker for smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and muscle-specific actin (MSA) are mostly positive, while the epithelial markers (e.g., CK5/6, CK7, CK20, and CKpan), CD56, CD34, CD31, and EMA are negative ( 9 , 13 – 15 ).…”

Inoperable Renal Malignant Glomus Tumor, the answers for all the “W’s”?

“…Twenty-five percent of glomus tumors originate in the viscera, which is peculiar in that, glomus bodies are rarely found in the viscera ( 4 ). Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, female genital tract, bone, mediastinum, trachea, heart, lymph nodes, and the kidney have been described ( 4 , 5 ).…”

“…With follow-up ranging from 6 to 15 months, no recurrence has been reported in organ-confined malignant glomus tumors, suggesting that complete surgical excision is curative ( 5 , 14 , 16 ).…”

“…Visceral glomus tumors may involve urologic organs like bladder, urethra commonly, and rarely the prostate (5,6). Majority of renal glomus tumors are benign.…”