Bladder tumor associated with phenacetin abuse.

The association between phenacetin abuse and renal papillary necrosis is widely known. Recently, reports in the European literature indicated a possible correlation between phenacetin abuse and the development of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and bladder. A case of transitional cell carcinoma associated with phenacetin abuse is presented. The pharmacology of phenacetin metabolites is discussed, and the world literature is reviewed. The data available warrant careful reappraisal of the ready availability of phenacetin.