Metastatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Case Report

Abstract

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer is a rare entity. It can be presented in a pure form (small or large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma) or in a mixed form, i.e. associated with an adenocarcinomatous contingent. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate poses both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Nevertheless, it is a heterogeneous entity encompassing a multitude of histopathological forms with distinct clinical features. Prostate neuroendocrine tumors are often associated with an adenocarcinoma, and are most often a histological discovery. They appear clinically more severe, more advanced with a shorter survival than pure adenocarcinomas. The usually hormoneresistant character of tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation has led to the development of alternative treatments based on chemotherapy and on drugs based on neuroendocrine hormones and/or their antagonists. There is no consensus on the management and prognosis of these various tumor subtypes.