Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate: a rare clinicopathological entity. Report of 2 cases and review of literature.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate is an uncommon clinicopathological entity. It differs from more common adenocarcinomas in its cell of origin, biological behavior, therapeutic response to the usual hormonal manipulation and prognosis. The review shows that squamous cell carcinoma is biologically more aggressive than adenocarcinoma. Despite the agreement on its uniqueness, a controversy exists on the exact histopathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and modality of treatment. We report on 2 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate. One patient presented with lower urinary tract symptoms with a hard nodular prostate on digital rectal examination, and the other with acute urinary retention on normal digital rectal examination. The evaluation revealed metastasis in the pelvic and right femur in both cases. Palliative transurethral resection of the prostate with chemotherapy (Adriamycin based) was given in both the cases. However, both the patients died at 4 and 5 months of follow-up, respectively. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel