BK virus associated with small cell carcinoma of bladder in a patient with renal transplant

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Mar 29;15(3):e244740. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-244740.

Abstract

A man in his 70s with a complex medical history, including cadaveric renal transplant, presented with recurrent urinary tract infections. Investigation revealed recurrent urinary pathogens, including Enterobacter cloacae and persistent BK viruria. Cystoscopy revealed a pedunculated mass in the right posterior-lateral wall, inferior to the transplant urethral orifice, and biopsy of this mass showed invasive small cell carcinoma with a prominent adenocarcinoma component. The tumour was treated with complete transurethral resection followed by carboplatin, etoposide and radiation. Laboratory analysis of biopsied samples showed immunostaining and molecular evidence of BK virus DNA in the cancer cells. Follow-up cystoscopies have shown no recurrence of the cancer.

Keywords: Carcinogenesis; Infections; Malignant disease and immunosuppression; Urological cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • BK Virus* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell* / complications
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Lung Neoplasms*
  • Male
  • Polyomavirus Infections* / complications
  • Polyomavirus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Urinary Bladder