Neuroendocrine tumors of the prostate

Abstract

Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in tumors of the prostate or in the setting of prostate cancer (PCa) is rare. A survey of these lesions is presented, including usual PCa with focal NE marker-positive cells, Paneth cell-like change, prostatic 'carcinoid', high-grade NE carcinoma, as well as other tumors that do not fit neatly into these categories. The most significant clinical and pathologic features, emerging molecular evidence and the importance of differentiating NE tumors involving the prostate from secondary involvement are highlighted.