Intestinal Metaplasia of the Urinary Bladder
Definition
- Transformation of bladder urothelium into intestinal type epithelium
Diagnostic Criteria
- Bland columnar epithelium with goblet cells
- Resembles colonic mucosa
- Lacks underlying layers of transitional cells
- If transitional layers are present, it is better termed cystitis glandularis
- This distinction is not universally accepted
- If transitional layers are present, it is better termed cystitis glandularis
- May involve both the surface and nests within the lamina propria
- Mucin may leak into stroma forming pools
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting/updates: 10/26/12
