BACKGROUND:

Polypoid cystitis is an alteration caused by irritation of the bladder mucosa due to the chronic use of transurethral catheters.

CLINICAL CASE:

A 74-year-old man had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, acute myocardial infarction (on three occasions), and intense smoking (35 packs/year). He also presented with gross hematuria with no clot formation of one-year progression that resolved spontaneously. One month prior to admission to our medical unit, computed tomography urogram revealed a bladder filling defect in the elimination phase. The patient’s evaluation revealed microhematuria in the urinalysis and there were no alterations in the rest of the laboratory studies. A urogram once again identified a bladder filling defect in the elimination phase, measuring 2.3 × 1.5 cm. Cystoscopy showed a sessile, papillary tumor dependent on the right lateral wall, thus transurethral resection was performed. The histopathologic study stated polypoid and papillary cystitis. The transurethral catheter was removed on postoperative day three. The patient remains in follow up (five months), with no signs of tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSION:

Polypoid and papillary cystitis is an alteration that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.