Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate (review of the literature)

Abstract

Neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEC) of the prostate gland is a rather rare extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma and makes up only 0.5 to 1% of all malignant neoplasms of this localization. NEC of the prostate gland is a tumor of epithelial origin, histologically and immunohistochemically identical to analogues in the lungs and digestive system. When stained with hemotoxylin-eosin, neuroendocrine cells cannot always be visualized; they are best recognized by the immunohistochemical method of investigation using specific markers. Currently, a number of neuroendocrine markers are used, the expression of which may indicate a neuroendocrine nature. Androgen neuroendocrine cells themselves are independent and do not cause an increase in the concentration of prostate-specific antigen. Prostate NECs are represented by some histological forms according to WHO classification (2015): 1. Adenocarcinoma with focal neuroendocrine differentiation. 2. Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. 3. Small cell neuroendocrine cancer is a high - grade tumor with high malignant potential. 4. Large cell neuroendocrine cancer is a high - grade tumor. Due to the rarity of NEC of the prostate, a specific algorithm for diagnosis and treatment has not been developed, as a rule, they are similar to methods of other malignant forms of prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.