Course Map: Epithelial Tumors: Malignant: Urothelial Carcinoma: Variants of Urothelial Carcinoma: Osteoclastic Variant

Osteoclastic Variant
Some urothelial carcinomas are associated with cells that resemble osteoclasts [42]. At the present time these are believed to represent a type of stromal response to the neoplasm so the carcinoma should be classified and graded without regard to the giant cells. Rarely, one may find deposits of benign cartilage or bone in the stroma adjacent to the tumors [65].
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	Figure 1: This illustrates the typical appearance of the osteoclast-like lesions that may be associated with any type of urothelial bladder cancer.
	Figure 2: In this example, the diagnosis is urothelial carcinoma, spindle cell and osteoclastic variants.