Barry S. Stein

Immunoperoxidase localization of prostate-specific antigen

In instances of metastatic tumor from an unknown primary site, it is important to isolate those cases which are attributable to prostatic carcinoma. Immunoperoxidase localization of human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) would be useful in this regard if it were reliably detectable in prostatic carcinoma. We have studied 15 specimens from 14 patients with carcinoma of the prostate by immunoperoxidase techniques. The presence of PSA correlates with the Gleason grade. All cases of Gleason grade 9 or less demonstrated strong staining for PSA. Of the seven specimens with a Gleason grade 10, only four (57%) demonstrated significant staining, while two were entirely devoid of PSA. PSA is thus useful when it is present, but the absence of PSA in a poorly differentiated tumor of undetermined origin does not unequivocally rule out the possibility of a prostatic carcinoma.

Age-Related Changes in Tissue Levels of Prostatic Acid Phosphatase and Prostate Specific Antigen

Immunoperoxidase localization of prostatic tissue antigens has become useful in identifying the prostate as the origin of metastatic disease. Much research has been aimed at investigating the presence of these antigens in the adult prostate gland in benign and neoplastic states. Few studies have been done to determine the presence of these markers before puberty. We studied the prostate gland of 42 children of varying ages to determine the presence of these antigens at all age ranges to puberty. Sequential sections of the prostate were cut for prostate specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The degree of immunoperoxidase stain was graded from 0 to 4. The results showed that staining levels of prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase were high at birth, decreased by age 6 months, reappeared by age 10 years and increased to puberty. Thus, the levels of prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase appear to follow the testosterone levels, suggesting a hormonal dependence.

Immunoperoxidase localization of prostatic antigens: Comparison of primary and metastatic sites

Immunoperoxidase staining for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) help to identify patients with prostatic carcinoma presenting as metastatic disease from an occult primary source. To clarify further the reliability of these prostatic tissue antigens, we have examined the primary tumor and metastatic sites in 16 autopsy cases. Eleven of these had diffusely positive findings for PSA and PAP in the primary and all metastatic sites, and 1 case lacked both antigens in all locations. Four cases demonstrated variability between these antigens and among various sites. Prostatic primary lesions contained PAP and PSA in 13 (81%) and 12 (75%) cases, respectively. The most reliable metastatic sites were lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, lung, bone, and kidney; while liver, adrenal, and colorectal sites were less reliable. No relationship existed between serum PAP levels and tissue detectability of PAP. The use of both PAP and PSA increases the likelihood of properly identifying the prostate as the organ of origin of metastatic disease. In spite of the use of both markers, however, three primary lesions would have been misdiagnosed, and 1 case lacked both antigens in all metastatic sites as well. In poorly differentiated lesions, the lack of both antigens does not unequivocally eliminate the possibility of prostatic carcinoma.

The Association of Inverted Papilloma and Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urothelium

Inverted papilloma generally is considered a benign lesion, with recurrence documented in only 1 case. However, the association of typical transitional cell carcinoma and inverted papilloma in a single lesion has been reported rarely. We present 1 such case and review the literature. Treatment recommendations are included.

Des lead-in to use of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogs in treatment of metastatic carcinoma of prostate

Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs have been shown to be an effective alternative endocrine treatment of metastatic prostatic carcinoma. After a transient stimulation of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) during the first week of therapy, continued administration of LHRH analogs has reliably suppressed serum androgens to castrate levels. About 10 per cent of previously untreated patients begun on LHRH therapy will experience transient worsening of disease symptoms corresponding to the initial rise in androgen levels. In an attempt to eliminate the early rise of T and DHT, 9 patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma were pretreated with diethylstilbestrol (DES), 3 mg/day, for one week prior to the initiation of LHRH therapy. Following this, both DES and LHRH were given concomitantly for a week, after which DES was discontinued. LHRH was then continued as long as patients experienced clinical benefit. T and DHT levels were performed pre-study and on days 4, 8-11, 13, 15, and 29 of study. Results indicate that pretreatment with DES did not completely prevent the rise in T and DHT seen during the first week of LHRH therapy, although T and DHT levels rose to only slightly above baseline during the first four days. T and DHT levels then markedly decreased, and castrate levels were achieved by day 29 of treatment.

Blood group antigens and bladder carcinoma: A perspective

A review of the current literature relative to the measurement of blood group antigens on bladder epithelium is presented. The determination of the presence or absence of such antigens on bladder tumors has enabled us to separate patients into two predictive groups at a time when their routine histologic patterns are identical. Group I consists of those patients with detectable blood group antigens by specific red cell adherence testing (SRCA). Regardless of the grade of their lesion, these patients have a low incidence (0-19%) of the ultimate development of invasive disease. Group II consists of those patients without demonstrable blood group antigens on their bladder carcinomas. These patients have a 60 to 93 per cent change of invasive disease developing within five years. Treatment thus can be predicated not only on the grade and stage, but also on a prediction of future behavior. Studies mapping cystectomy specimens, as well as those studying random mucosal biopsies, have shown that when the primary tumor lacks demonstrable blood group antigens, other areas of the bladder are also SRCA negative. These findings may help explain the frequent recurrences and ultimate development of invasive lesions in some of these patients. The role of the measurments of blood group antigens in urine cytology is reviewed, as well as those situations in which red cell adherence may be less definitive, i.e., those patients with carcinoma in situ, after radiotherapy, or thiotepa, and in those patients with blood group O. Future areas of usefulness of blood group antigens are discussed including other organs, i.e., kidney, renal pelvis, testes, and prostate.

Malignant Mesenchymoma of the Spermatic Cord

Sarcomas of the spermatic cord are rare, with only approximately 200 such tumors reported in the literature. Of those cases only 3 fit the definition of malignant mesenchymoma: a mesenchymal tumor with 2 or more malignant elements other than fibrosarcoma. We report the fourth such case treated by local excision alone. The patient was free of disease 6 years after treatment.

Scrotal imaging in the Henoch-Schönlein syndrome.

Testicular involvement in patients with Henoch-Schönlein syndrome may occur in as high as 15 per cent of the cases. Scrotal imaging is extremely accurate in differentiating hyperemia (vasculitis) from impairment of blood flow encountered in torsion of the spermatic cord, the most common cause of acute scrotal swelling in children.

Metastatic Carcinoma of the Prostate Presenting Radiographically as Lymphoma

Anterior mediastinal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy is rarely clinically evident in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. We report a case in which the nodal disease was suggestive of the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. Immunohistochemical stain for prostate specific antigen was useful in assuring the diagnosis.

Tissue CEA in colorectal carcinoma

Immunoperoxidase method can be used to detect cellular or tissue CEA. Forty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of colorectal carcinoma, 19 from patients who survived for five years after resection, and 21 from patients who died within five years were studied. Cellular CEA was present in 100 per cent of the specimens. Accurate quantitative evaluation of cellular CEA is currently not feasible. Therefore, the mere presence of cellular CEA has no prognostic value.