Case Report
Non-prostatic pathology on prostate needle-biopsy – colorectal carcinoid: a case report
-
* Corresponding author: Roderick CN van den Bergh r.vandenbergh@erasmusmc.nl
1 Department of Urology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2 Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
3 Department of Gastroenterology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Cases Journal 2009, 2:75 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-75
Published: 21 January 2009Abstract
Introduction
Prostate needle-biopsies are among the most common specimens in routine histopathological practice; in 15% colorectal tissue is also present. Rectal pathology is described to be found in 17% of this coincidentally obtained material.
Case presentation
We present a case in which colorectal carcinoid was found in the rectal mucosa obtained via transrectal prostate biopsies in a screening program for prostate cancer in a 71-year old Caucasian male. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that such a coincidental finding was discovered. Besides a colonoscopy with polypectomy, this coincidental detection remained without any further clinical consequences for this patient until today.
Conclusion
As there is a considerable chance that abnormalities are found in the rectal tissue of prostate biopsies, it is advisable for all pathologists to include this tissue in the histology evaluation and look for potential irregularities in this simultaneously collected material.