Primary manifestation of small lymphocytic lymphoma in the prostate.
BACKGROUND
Infiltration of non-haematopoietic organs by small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (SLL/CLL) is not unusual in late-stage disease and thus quite frequently encountered in post-mortem examinations. However, primary manifestation of SLL/CLL in the prostate is rarely diagnosed.


METHODS
We report two cases of primary prostatic SLL/CLL, in one case in combination with prostate carcinoma, and discuss diagnostic pitfalls, pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic management, together with an overview of the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymphocytic infiltration of the prostate associated with obstructive symptoms is rare but can already occur in very early disease. Microscopically, SLL/CLL infiltration can be distinguished from chronic prostatitis by its pattern of infiltration and by immunohistochemistry. As the incidence of both SLL/CLL and prostatic carcinoma increases with age, composite tumours might occur more often in the future.
Fehr
Martin
M
Departement Innere Medizin, Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie, Kantonsspital Graubunden, Chur,Switzerland.
Templeton
Arnoud
A
Cogliatti
Sergio
S
Aebersold
Franziska
F
Egli
Fritz
F
Gillessen
Silke
S
Cathomas
Richard
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*