Urothelial Carcinoma: Divergent Differentiation and Morphologic Subtypes

Abstract

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is known to encompass a wide spectrum of morphologic features and molecular alterations. Approximately 15% to 25% of invasive UC exhibits histomorphologic features in the form of "divergent differentiation" along other epithelial lineages, or different "subtypes" of urothelial or sarcomatoid differentiation. It is recommended that the percentage of divergent differentiation and or subtype(s) be reported whenever possible. Recent advances in molecular biology have led to a better understanding of the molecular underpinning of these morphologic variations. In this review, we highlight histologic characteristics of the divergent differentiation and subtypes recognized by the latest version of WHO classification, with updates on their molecular and clinical features.

Keywords: Divergent differentiation; Subtype; Urothelial carcinoma.