Abstract
Primary squamous cell urachal carcinoma is an exceedingly rare epithelial neoplasm and an aggressive malignancy, originating from the urachal remnants. In contrast to mucinous adenocarcinoma, the most common histological type, squamous cell urachal carcinoma demonstrates high 2-deoxy-2-18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake, making 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) a valuable tool for evaluating regional lymph node involvement and detecting distant metastases. Optimal surgical management, the need for systemic therapy, and the overall prognosis are largely determined by accurate clinical staging, which is mainly based on the widely recognized Sheldon and Mayo classifications. We present a rare case of primary squamous cell urachal carcinoma on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a young woman, with correlation to surgical and histopathological findings.
Keywords:
Rare malignancy, primary urachal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, 18F-FDG PET/CT
Ethics
Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of her clinical information and imaging data.
Authorship Contributions
Surgical and Medical Practices: Y.G., A.S., S.A., N.H., Concept: Y.G., A.S., Design: Y.G., G.G., Data Collection or Processing: Y.G., G.G., N.H., Analysis or Interpretation: Y.G., Literature Search: Y.G., V.H., Writing: Y.G., V.H.
Conflict of Interest: No conflicts of interest were declared by the authors.
Financial Disclosure: The authors declare that this study has received no financial support.
References
1Bruins HM, Visser O, Ploeg M, Hulsbergen-van de Kaa CA, Kiemeney LA, Witjes JA. The clinical epidemiology of urachal carcinoma: results of a large, population based study. J Urol. 2012;188:1102-1107.
2Olah C, Kubik A, Mátrai P, Engh MA, Barna V, Hegyi P, Reis H, Nyirády P, Szarvas T. Estimation of the incidence of urachal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of registry-based studies. Urol Oncol. 2024;42:221.e1-221.e7.
3Sheldon CA, Clayman RV, Gonzalez R, Williams RD, Fraley EE. Malignant urachal lesions. J Urol. 1984;131:1-8.
4Ashley RA, Inman BA, Sebo TJ, Leibovich BC, Blute ML, Kwon ED, Zincke H. Urachal carcinoma: clinicopathologic features and long-term outcomes of an aggressive malignancy. Cancer. 2006;107:712-720.
5National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Bladder Cancer. Version 1.2025. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Available at: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bladder.pdf