Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate: immunohistochemical findings and clinical significance

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate. METHODS: The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical data of seven patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scan, cystoscopy, and computed tomography (CT) scan. The level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) before and after surgery was assessed. Different prostate cancer markers were used for immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The mean age of the seven patients diagnosed with prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma in this study was 76.2 years (range 57–88). Five patients presented with intermittent and painless gross hematuria, one patient with progressive dysuria, and one patient with elevated serum PSA on routine health examination. The level of PSA before surgery ranged from 1.3 to 45.0 ng/mL. Immunohistochemical staining results of the prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma confirmed positivity for PSA, prostatic acid phosphatase, androgen receptor, and alpha-methyacyl co-enzyme A (CoA)-reductase markers. Two of the patients underwent bilateral orchiectomy combined with anti-androgen therapy, three underwent transurethral resection of prostate, one received radical prostatectomy, and one received medical castration therapy. The clinical outcomes of all patients were satisfactory, based on follow-up data. The symptoms of hematuria and dysuria were ameliorated well, and the postoperative PSA level decreased below 4.0 ng/mL. Recurrence or metastasis of disease was not detected on MRI and bone scan. CONCLUSION: Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate is a rare subtype of prostate carcinoma, the diagnosis of which could be based on pathological and immunohistochemical examination. Earlier management promises better prognosis.