Prostate small cell carcinoma and skin metastases: a rare entity

Abstract

Objectives: To report a rare case of small cell carcinoma of the prostate with unusual skin metastasis.

Clinical presentation and interventions: A 60-year-old was evaluated for difficulty in urinating. Abdominal computed tomography scans revealed a prostatic mass invading the surrounding tissues and multiple perirectal, periprostatic, para-aortic and pericaval lymph nodes. Needle biopsy specimens showed both small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. He was treated with combination chemotherapy: cisplatin and etoposide and bilateral orchiectomy. After six cycles of the chemotherapy, disease progressed and the patient did not respond to salvage therapy; hence, palliative care was instituted. During the follow-up, papillary lesions were observed in the scrotal skin; biopsy showed metastatic small cell carcinoma.

Conclusion: Small cell carcinoma of the prostate is an aggressive disease with a highly metastatic potential; but skin metastases are very uncommon. It has poor prognosis despite therapy. Management resembles that of small cell carcinoma of the lung.