American Board of Pathology (ABPath) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Transitional cell carcinoma, also known as urothelial carcinoma, is the most common type of bladder cancer. This type of carcinoma originates from the urothelium, which is the layer of tissue that lines the bladder. Its prevalence can be attributed to several factors, including the high incidence of bladder exposure to carcinogens—such as those found in tobacco smoke and certain industrial chemicals.

Transitional cell carcinoma can also present in various forms, including superficial lesions and invasive disease, which further contributes to its commonality in bladder tumors. In contrast, other types of carcinoma affecting the bladder, such as squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, are much less common and typically arise in specific contexts; for instance, squamous cell carcinoma is often associated with chronic irritation or inflammation, and adenocarcinoma can be associated with glandular structures. Small cell carcinoma is also rare and primarily linked to neuroendocrine differentiation, adding to its lower incidence compared to transitional cell carcinoma.

The dominance of transitional cell carcinoma in bladder tumors underscores the importance of recognizing risk factors and symptoms associated with this condition in clinical practice and pathology.