Small cell carcinoma of the prostate (report of 2 cases and review of the literature) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics and treatment of small cell carcinoma of the prostate. Methods Two patients with small cell carcinoma of the prostate were reported. Case 1 was 50 year-old. He was admitted with a history of dysuria and perineal pain for 3 months. Digital rectal examination (DRE) showed that the enlarged prostate was 5. 0 cm?6. 0 cm and palpated hard and rough. Low-echo mass was shown on ultrasonography, and heterogeneous density of the prostate on CT. His serum PSA level was 0. 31 ng/ml,and fPSA level was 0.09 ng/ml. Prostate cancer was suspected by biopsy,and radical prostatectomy was performed. Case 2 was 82 year-old. The complaints consisted of dysuria and intermittent gross hematuria for 4 months. The enlarged prostate was 4. 0 cm?5. 0 cm and palpated hard and rough with multiple nodes by DRE. Low-echo mass was shown on ultrasonography, and heterogeneous density of the prostate and involvement of seminal vesicle and bladder neck on CT. His serum PSA level was 2.61 ng/ml,and fPSA level was 0.05 ng/ml. Prostate carcinoma was indicated by biopsy, and orchiectomy plus TURP was performed. Results The diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the 2 cases were confirmed by postoperative pathology. Microscopically, the tumor cells were arranged in solid-sheet and nest structures, showing the histologic type of diffuse infiltrative carcinoma. Coagulated necrosis could be found easily. Small round or oval cells resembling lymphocytes or oat cells were the main constituents of the tumor. The nuclei were extremely hyperchromatic and scanty. The seminal vesicle and bladder neck had tumor infiltration. The immunohistochemical staining results were negative for LCA,L-26 and 34?E12,but positive for PSA,AE1/ AE3 and AR ,and suspected positive for CgA and S-100. Case 1 died of extensive lung metastasis 1 month after operation. Case 2 had retroperitoneal metastasis of the tumor 3 months after operation, and has been followed till now. Conclusions Small cell cancer of the prostate is rare but can be diagnosed properly based on clinical and pathological features. Radical prostatectomy combined with hormone and chemotherapy is reliable treatment for early stage cancer; but for late stage cancer, there is no effective treatment and the prognosis is poor.