Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the prostate mimicking primary gastric carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 45; no. 5; pp. 452 - 454
• Main Authors: Ben-Izhak, O, Lichtig, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01-05-1992; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - secondary; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - ultrastructure; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Prostatic Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Stomach Neoplasms - secondary; Stomach Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Tumors of the urinary system; Human; Pathology; Stomach; Urinary system disease; Exploration; Tumor; Prostate; Differential diagnostic
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.45.5.452

A post mortem examination of a 70 year old man, who died three years after a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of prostate had been diagnosed, showed widespread signet-ring cell carcinoma, with an associated linitis plastica. The signet-ring cells stained positively with prostatic specific antigen and with prostatic specific acid phosphatase, but failed to react with mucopolysaccharide staining. The electron microscopic appearance of the signet-ring cell tumour was due to the presence of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. This case emphasises the possibility that cases of metastatic signet-ring cell carcinoma may be prostatic in origin. This can be confirmed by specific immunohistochemical studies.