Is partial cystectomy the treatment of choice for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the urachus?

Objectives. To determine if well-differentiated colonic-type adenocarcinoma of the urachus behaves benign fashion, and thus might be treated by segmental rather than radical cystectomy. Methods. A retrospective review of the literature since 1863 with one added case review is presented here, Only cases with photomicrograph confirmation were accepted. Results. Sixteen previously reported patients with well-differentiated colonic-type adenocarcinoma of the urachus were treated by partial cystectomy. None were treated by radical cystectomy. Most (88%) of these patients were cured, whereas all patients (100%) treated in the last 45 years were cured. Conclusions. These data support a more limited approach to the surgical excision of these benign-appearing tumors. The influence of this histologic type on the prognosis of patients with urachal tumors has not been previously reported. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.