Autopsy case of prostate cancer with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A

Pathol Int. 2004 Dec;54(12):918-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2004.01773.x.

Abstract

We describe an autopsy case of a 65-year-old man with prostate cancer accompanied by multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN 2A), including malignant pheochromocytomas, thyroid medullary carcinomas and parathyroid hyperplasia. Metastatic lesions from the prostate primary were identified using immunohistochemistry for prostate specific antigen within both primary and metastatic pheochromocytomas in the liver. To investigate the affinity of prostate cancer for pheochromocytoma cells, immunohistochemistry was carried out using a number of antibodies and both tumors were positive for N-cadherin. Interestingly, pheochromocytomas, thyroid medullary carcinomas and prostate cancer were all positive for the anti-RET antibody. The immunohistochemical results suggest that the cell affinity may, in part, result from cell-cell adhesion via N-cadherin. Although prostate cancer is rarely associated with MEN, RET activation may have participated in the tumorigenesis of this case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autopsy
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / metabolism
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Parathyroid Diseases / metabolism
  • Parathyroid Diseases / pathology
  • Pheochromocytoma / metabolism
  • Pheochromocytoma / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • RET protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases