TRANSITIONAL-CELL BLADDER-CARCINOMA WITH PRESENTATION MIMICKING OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

In the case described here, the patient's initial presentation suggest ed ovarian carcinoma. She had recurrent ascites, a pelvic mass, elevat ed CA-125, and extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis with transitional c ell histology. The presence of hematuria prompted a cystoscopy, which revealed the true site of origin to be the urinary bladder rather than ovaries. This presentation is extremely rare for bladder cancer. Sinc e transitional cell tumors from the bladder have a much worse prognosi s than those of ovarian origin, it is important to identify the primar y site correctly. Therefore, cystoscopy is essential for patients with hematuria, and should be considered in cases of apparent primary peri toneal carcinoma with transitional cell histology. (C) 1996 Academic P ress, Inc.