Korean J Urol.  2011 Jan;52(1):68-70.

Osteoclast-Like Giant Cell Carcinoma of the Distal Ureter

• Park H

Abstract

Extraskeletal osteoclast-like giant cell (OGC) tumors are uncommon and have mainly been found in the breast and pancreas. OGC neoplasms of the urinary tract are extremely rare. Most cases found in the renal pelvis and bladder are associated with either an in situ urothelial malignancy or a conventional high-grade urothelial carcinoma. These malignancies tend to be associated with a poor prognosis and disease course. To our knowledge, no cases of OGC tumors of the distal ureter only have been published. Here, we present the case of a 76-year-old man who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy because of painless gross hematuria with right flank pain. Pathologic examination showed OGC carcinoma of the right distal ureter. No local tumor recurrence or distant metastasis was found at the 5-month follow-up.

Keyword

Giant cell carcinoma; Osteoclasts; Ureter

MeSH Terms

Aged
Breast
Carcinoma, Giant Cell
Flank Pain
Follow-Up Studies
Giant Cells
Hematuria
Humans
Kidney Pelvis
Neoplasm Metastasis
Osteoclasts
Pancreas
Prognosis
Recurrence
Ureter
Urinary Bladder
Urinary Tract

Figure

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  FIG. 1 Magnetic resonance urography shows an eccentric enhanced mural thickening of the right distal ureter 2 cm from the ureterovesical junction and measuring approximately 5 cm.

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  FIG. 2 Gross image of the kidney and distal ureter tumor.

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  FIG. 3 Pathologic examination shows osteoclast-like giant cell carcinoma (H&E, ×200).

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  FIG. 4 Immunohistologic staining shows that the osteoclast-like giant cells were positive for CD68 (A), epithelial membrane antigen (B), and vimentin (C) (H&E, ×400).

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