Pathology and terminology of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: A review

• Yoshiyuki Akiyama ^[1] ; Yukio Homma ^[1] ; Daichi Maeda ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Tokyo

     University of Tokyo

     Japón

     
  2. [2] Osaka University

     Osaka University

     Kita Ku, Japón

     
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 34, Nº. 1, 2019, págs. 25-32
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is an umbrella term of chronic debilitating conditions of unknown etiology characterized by symptoms of lower urinary tract hypersensitivity such as bladder pain/discomfort, urgency, and urinary frequency.

    The pathological features of IC/BPS have been generally reported as non-specific chronic inflammatory changes, with mast cell infiltration as a potential key finding.

    However, growing evidence reveals a histological distinction between IC/BPS with Hunner lesions and IC/BPS without Hunner lesions, and also sheds doubt on the diagnostic value of the mast cell count. Specifically, IC/BPS with Hunner lesions is an inflammatory disorder characterized by pancystitis with B cell abnormalities and epithelial denudation, while IC/BPS without Hunner lesions shows minimal histological changes. The umbrella term “IC/BPS” connects totally distinct clinical entities. Pathological evaluation thus plays an important role in the precise subtyping and clinical management of IC/BPS. In addition, terminology should be developed to refer separately to IC/BPS wi