Both the papillary form and the CIS form are manifestations of transitional cell uretheral carcinoma, arising the the same cells in the bladder lining. Papillary look like little mushrooms protruding into the bladder space and can be either high grade or low grade....only the pathology can tell which. CIS (carcinoma in situ) appears as a rash or irritation on the surface of the bladder, looking very different from the papillary tumors. It is always high grade. It is quite easy for the pathologist to tell the difference between the two.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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