
The atypical, not otherwise specified, is used when urothelial cells, even if single, appeared degenerated but displayed a high N/C ratio, intact but irregular nuclear membranes with clump chromatin.
What happens if you have atypical urothelial cells?
- Bladder cancer
- Cancer of the ureter
- Cancer of the urethra
What are rare urothelial cells?
Urothelial cells are part of the urothelium surrounding the urethra, bladder, prostate and pelvis, according to the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences. Bladder cancer is the most common form of cancer in this type of cell. Some screening tests show atypical cells when no serious illness is present.
What are benign urothelial cells?
Benign Urothelial Cells—catheterized urine: In this catheter-ized urine, a loosely cohesive group of benign urothelial cells is present. These cells have an elongated glandular appearance. The cells have small dot-like nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm that is slightly frayed. (600x) Figure 1.7.
Do atypical cells mean cancer?
Sometimes, atypical cells are a precursor to cancer. Doctors can look for specific cellular changes and may request that the patient return for another biopsy within a set period of time to see if the cells are still changing, as well as to take note of any other issues.

What does atypical urothelial cells in urine mean?
Atypical urothelial cells: This means that the pathologist found some abnormalities in your urine sample, but the cells weren't abnormal enough to be considered cancer. Suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma: This means that the pathologist found abnormal cells in your urine sample that might be cancer.
Should I be worried about atypical cells?
Atypical cells don't necessarily mean you have cancer. However, it's still important to make sure there's no cancer present or that a cancer isn't just starting to develop. If your doctor identifies atypical cells, close follow-up is essential.
What does urothelial cells are present mean?
Urothelial cells are present in all urine specimens and exfoliate readily from tumors of the urothelial lining. Urine cytology is therefore an important primary method of diagnosing urothelial tumors, and in combination with cytoscopy and biopsy, it is used as an adjunct.
How common are atypical cells in urine?
Overall, the atypical category constituted 23.2% of all urine cytologic cases. Of those cases, 59.3% (410/691) and 40.7% (281/691) belonged to the atypical, reactive and the atypical, unclear categories, respectively.
How serious is atypical cells?
Atypical cells mean that the cells are not entirely normal. Normal cells go through quite a few changes before they become cancerous. The cells may not necessarily become cancer cells. The cells might not change further.
Should atypical cells be removed?
Atypical hyperplasia is generally treated with surgery to remove the abnormal cells and to make sure no in situ or invasive cancer also is present in the area. Doctors often recommend more-intensive screening for breast cancer and medications to reduce your breast cancer risk.
What causes urothelial cells in urine?
Urothelial cells expand when your bladder is full and contract when your bladder is empty. These same cells line the inside of the ureters and the urethra, and cancers can form in those places as well. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer in the United States.
Can inflammation cause atypical urothelial cells?
Many factors can make normal cells appear atypical, including inflammation and infection.
Can urothelial cells be benign?
Benign urothelial tumor that has an inverted growth pattern with normal to minimal cytologic atypia of the cells [20]. Most cases are solitary polypoid lesions, smaller than 3 cm, and arise in the bladder trigone but can also be found in ureter, renal pelvis or urethra [20].
Do kidney stones cause atypical urothelial cells?
Abstract. Urinary calculi can induce urothelial cellular abnormalities comparable with those of malignancy; this was found in 11 out of 62 lithiasis cases. Severe cellular changes, comparable with those of carcinoma in situ, may be seen in the epithelium adjacent to a calculus.
Can kidney stone cause atypical cells in urine?
Kidney disease does not cause atypical cells in the bladder or the urine.
How accurate is a urine cytology test?
Urine cytology is associated with a significant false-negative rate, especially for low-grade carcinoma (10-50% accuracy rate). The false-positive rate is 1-12%, although cytology has a 95% accuracy rate for diagnosing high-grade carcinoma and CIS. Urine cytology is often the test used for diagnosis of CIS.
Why do urothelial cells look abnormal?
Atypical urothelial cells look abnormal under a microscope, explains Mayo Clinic. While some cancers cause atypical cells, other factors such as inflammation, infection and age also cause cells to appear abnormal. Doctors monitor abnormal cells to ensure they do not become more abnormal over time.
What does a doctor consider when determining atypical cells?
Doctors consider the patient's medical history and risk factors to determine the cause of atypical cells. Some doctors ask patients who have a history of bladder cancer to do more than one test for atypical cells. ADVERTISEMENT.
What do doctors do when they find abnormal cells?
When doctors find abnormal cells, they sometimes do more tests and scans to find the source of the abnormality. If doctors find the source of the abnormality, they use treatments to reverse the atypical process. In some cases, doctors take a sample of the affected tissue to perform a biopsy. This procedure screens for cancer ...
What is benign urothelial cells?
Benign Urothelial Cells—catheterized urine: A cluster of benign urothelial cells is admixed with a few squamous cells. The urothelial cells exhibit a moderately increased nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio although the nuclei are relatively uniform to slightly irregular in contour.
Is the cytoplasm granular or round?
The cytoplasm is granular and there is an absence of cytoplasmic homogeneity. Nuclear overlap may be seen in catheterized specimens and in this case, the nuclei vary in size, although for the most part are round in shape. (600x) Figure 2.7.
Is cytologic atypical interpretation appropriate?
An atypical interpretation is appropriate when morphologic changes exceed those described as benign cellular changes, but lack clear signs of neoplasia (Figs. 2.7, 2.15, 2.33). This is generally encountered when dealing with a sample from a patient with a low grade lesion, especially those called "low malignant potential" (LMP), or in the presence of severe inflammation, calculus disease, or following chemotherapy. Emerging ancillary tests, beyond the scope of this volume, will potentially bring clarity to these frustrating lesions.
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Why do cells appear atypical?
Many factors can make normal cells appear atypical, including inflammation and infection. Even normal aging can make cells appear abnormal. Atypical cells can change back to normal cells if the underlying cause is removed or resolved. This can happen spontaneously. Or it can be the result of a specific treatment.
What does it mean when a Pap test says atypical cells are present?
On occasion you may see a report from a Pap test or tissue biopsy stating "atypical cells present.". This might cause you to worry that this means cancer, but atypical cells aren't necessarily cancerous. Many factors can make normal cells appear atypical, including inflammation and infection.
Do atypical cells mean cancer?
Atypical cells don't necessarily mean you have cancer. However, it's still important to make sure there's no cancer present or that a cancer isn't just starting to develop. If your doctor identifies atypical cells, close follow-up is essential. In some cases, your doctor may simply monitor the atypical cells to make sure they don't become more ...
What does a positive urine cytology test mean?
Positive. A positive result indicates that cancer cells were found in your urine. A urine cytology test can't be used alone to diagnose cancer. If atypical or cancerous cells are detected, your doctor will likely recommend a cystoscopy procedure and a CT scan to further examine your bladder and urinary tract.
Why do we do urine cytology?
Why it's done. Urine cytology is used with other tests and procedures to diagnose cancers of the urinary tract , including: It's generally used for people who have signs or symptoms of urinary tract cancer, such as blood in the urine. Urine cytology can best detect larger and more-aggressive urinary tract cancers.
What is the male urinary system?
Male urinary system. Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen, produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood. Urine cytology is a test to look for abnormal cells in your urine.
Can a urine cytology test detect bladder cancer?
It's used with other tests and procedures to diagnose urinary tract cancers, most often bladder cancer. Your doctor might recommend a urine cytology test if you have blood in your urine (hematuria). For people who've been diagnosed with bladder cancer and have undergone treatment, a urine cytology test can help detect a recurrence.
Who will send urine cytology results to?
Results. The pathologist will send the results of your urine cytology test to your doctor, who will report the results to you. Ask your doctor how long you can expect to wait for your results. Different labs have different ways of describing the results of a urine cytology test.
Is urine cytology dangerous?
Risks. Risks of urine cytology testing depend on how your urine is collected. Most often, people undergoing the test urinate into a sterile container, which carries no risk. Collecting urine by inserting a hollow tube (catheter) into your urethra carries a risk of urinary tract infection.
What is the specialized cell that lines the inner surface of the bladder, ureters, and urethr
What are urothelial cells? Urothelial cells are a specialized type of cell that line the inner surface of the bladder, ureters, and urethra. These cells connect to form a barrier called an epithelium.
What is the name of the cancer that starts in the epithelium?
If the cancer cells are only seen in the epithelium, the disease is called urothelial carcinoma in situ .
