p63-positive prostate carcinoma—A very rare presentation

Abstract

Prostate cancer being the world's leading cause of cancer and also the second most common cancer in men is posing challenges in its diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry with markers like high molecular weight cytokeratin, p63 aid in the diagnosis. The absence of p63 and high molecular weight cytokeratin and presence of p504s in the biopsies indicate malignant lesions. Yet, there is a loophole to this too. A rare case of p63-positive prostatic adenocarcinoma in an 87-year-old patient, with immunohistochemistry results showing overexpression of p63 in the nuclei of the malignant glands. This tumor shows high molecular weight cytokeratin negativity, and p504s positivity. Prognosis of this variant of the tumor is mostly favorable. Prompt treatment will halt the progression of this tumor and prevent paraplegia. Radical prostatectomy could be avoided by treatment modalities like androgen blockade and brachytherapy, as morbidity is very high with radical prostatectomy surgery.

Keywords

• adenocarcinoma
• immunohistochemistry
• p63
• prostate