Autopsied case of radiation cystitis

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of gross hematuria due to radiation cystitis that occurred 13 years after radiation therapy of the cervic cancer. Despite of conservative therapy to cease bladder hemorrhage, gross hematuria continued and was further complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding and pyelonephritis. As a consequence of blood loss the patient died. Histopathological examination revealed that the bladder lesion was composed of hemorrhagic, gangrenous cystitis with candida infection and ulcer formation. We would like to make a special note on microembolizations were found in the kidney, the liver, the heart, the lung, the gastrointestinal tract and other organs. It was considered to be the lesion of diseminated intravascular coagulation. (author)