Extensive xanthogranulomatous cystitis mimicking bladder cancer

Xanthogranulomatous cystitis (XC) is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology. A 39-year-old female presented with 2 month history of urgency, dysuria, lower abdominal mass. On physical examination a hard hypogastric mass was present fixed to the rectus muscle. Computerized tomography (CT) abdomen showed heterogeneous enhancing mass arising from the anterior bladder wall with infiltration of the overlying parietal wall. Cystoscopy revealed extensive growth involving the entire wall of the bladder. A biopsy showed cystitis with focal areas suggestive of urothelial neoplasia of unknown malignant potential. Suspecting bladder cancer, we proceeded with radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. Histopathology revealed cystitis cystica with XC of the entire bladder. This is, to our knowledge, the first time that a case has been found to be so extensive with infiltration of the parietal wall and second time that radical cystectomy has been performed for XC.