OBJECTIVE: To report four additional cases of secondary amyloidosis of the bladder, an extremely rare condition, as shown by the cases reported in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four clinical cases are reported, all of them occurring as hematuria, which was massive and fulminant and resulted in death in three patients. RESULTS: Secondary amyloidosis of the bladder is of the AA type, which is more common in females and mainly secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, but also to ankylosing spondylitis and long-standing chronic inflammatory conditions. Hematuria is the main and virtually only symptom. A pathological and immunohistochemical study confirmed diagnosis. All three patients who experienced massive, fatal hematuria had an intercurrent condition requiring urethral catheterization, which was the triggering factor. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its rarity, as shown by the few cases reported, secondary amyloidosis of the bladder should be considered in patients already diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis and/or the conditions reported who require simple urethral catheterization.
OBJECTIVE: To report four additional cases of secondary amyloidosis of the bladder, an extremely rare condition, as shown by the cases reported in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four clinical cases are reported, all of them occurring as hematuria, which was massive and fulminant and resulted in death in three patients. RESULTS: Secondary amyloidosis of the bladder is of the AA type, which is more common in females and mainly secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, but also to ankylosing spondylitis and long-standing chronic inflammatory conditions. Hematuria is the main and virtually only symptom. A pathological and immunohistochemical study confirmed diagnosis. All three patients who experienced massive, fatal hematuria had an intercurrent condition requiring urethral catheterization, which was the triggering factor. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its rarity, as shown by the few cases reported, secondary amyloidosis of the bladder should be considered in patients already diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis and/or the conditions reported who require simple urethral catheterization.