Scanning electron microscopic features of human urinary bladder cancer.

Biopsies from 17 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were examined by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate surface features of the luminal cells. Pleomorphic microvilli were observed on cells in all cases regardless of tumor grade. Several types of cell surface patterns were observed but variability in appearance increased with grade as did the degree of pleomorphism of the microvilli. Pleomorphic microvilli were not observed in biopsies from two patients without bladder lesions.