Prostate Cancer Types

Typical prostatic cancers range from incidental localized findings with no symptoms to metastatic carcinomas with lymph node involvement. There are, however, different types of prostate cancers that are more unusual and often more aggressive.

Ductal Carcinomas

• Ductal carcinomas are a high-grade cancer with a poor prognosis. They either invade the ducts of the prostate or arise from them. Typical prostate cancer treatment can be employed.

Endometrial Carcinomas

• Endometrial carcinomas are unusual prostate cancers that are difficult to differentiate from normal prostate cancers. Their treatment, however, is similar to therapies used for other tumors of the same grade.

Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

• Also called small-cell carcinoma, this rare prostate cancer is aggressive, grows rapidly and metastasizes early. It is a formation of tiny, round cells arising from nerve cells. Chemotherapy is the primary treatment option.

Transitional Cell Carcinomas

• Transitional cell carcinomas arise in the lining cells of the prostatic ducts and urethra and are spread into the prostate. The cancer can be treated either as a bladder cancer or a prostate cancer.

Other Rare Prostate Cancers

• Sometimes a biopsy of the prostate will turn up sarcomas, melanomas or cancers that have spread from the kidneys, bowel, stomach or lung. Each type of cancer must be evaluated before a treatment is chosen.