ADENOSQUAMOUS CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

We describe a patient with adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate. Hi s history suggests a common histogenesis of the glandular and squamous elements of the tumor. A 60-year-old white man had adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed by biopsy and then underwent radical prostatect omy, which showed adenosquamous carcinoma. Immunoperoxidase in the gla ndular component was positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), pro static acid phosphatase (PAP), and low molecular weight keratin CAM 5. 2 but was negative for high molecular weight keratin AE-3. The squamou s component was negative for PSA, PAP, and CAM 5.2 but positive for AE -3. Previously reported patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the p rostate share a history of radiation or hormonal therapy followed much later by prostatectomy, suggesting that adenosquamous carcinoma consi sts of residual primary adenocarcinoma and metaplastic squamous epithe lium caused by radiation or hormonal treatment. However, the present c ase lacks this history, suggesting that the two types of epithelia may have developed concurrently. HUM PATHOL 26:123-126. Copyright (C) 199 5 by W.B. Saunders Company