BRAIN METASTASIS FROM PRIMARY SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

Primary small cell carcinoma of the prostate (SCCP) is rare. Natural h istory of this tumor is similar to that of bronchogenic small cell car cinoma. A majority of patients with SCCP have distant metastasis at pr esentation. Because the disease is rapidly fatal, the incidence of bra in metastasis from SCCP is not known. A case of primary SCCP with mult iple subcutaneous and lymph node metastases is presented. The patient failed to respond to systemic hormone therapy but had a near complete response to multiple agent chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide , adriamycin, and vincristine. Multiple brain metastases subsequently developed, and he responded poorly to cranial irradiation. The clinica l behavior of this cancer being similar to that of bronchogenic small cell carcinoma, it supports the recommendation of computerized axial t omography of the brain to be included in the staging workup of patient s with SCCP. Prophylactic cranial irradiation might be of value in pat ients with a complete response to chemotherapy.