Sarcomatoid carcinomas (SC) are a rare histologic variant of prostate cancer associated with progression in the absence of PSA elevation (1) and overall, a poor prognosis (2).
These tumours commonly present alongside conventional adenocarcinoma and can show immunohistochemical (IHC) evidence of prostatic origin (3). However, loss of expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and AR-regulated proteins (including PSA and ERG in ERG gene-fusion positive cancers) in SC could introduce a diagnostic dilemma as to whether a second primary has occurred. Moreover, IHC is unable to conclusively establish whether SC and has the same origin as co-occurring adenocarcinomas have a common origin.
Written by:
Rodrigues DN, Hazell S, Miranda S, Crespo M, Fisher C, de Bono JS, Attard G. Are you the author?
Section of Medicine, The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
Reference: Histopathology. 2014 Jul 12. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1111/his.12493
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25041380
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