Unveiling the Rarity: Primary Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate

Authors

  • Navkiran Kaur Department of Pathology, INHS Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
  • Natasha Dogra Department of Pathology, INHS Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Divya Shelly Department of Pathology, INHS Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
  • Amit Kumar Das Department of Pathology, INHS Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
  • Tarun Pareek Department of Urology, INHS Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3519

Keywords:

Carcinoma prostate, Signet ring cell, Primary

Abstract

Primary prostatic signet-ring carcinoma is a rare and aggressive histological variant of adenocarcinoma, characterized by mucin-filled signet-ring cells. While this type of carcinoma can occur in various organs, including the stomach, colon, pancreas, breast, thyroid, bladder, and prostate, it is most commonly found in the stomach and colon. We present the case of an 88-year-old male patient who presented with hematuria. On digital rectal examination, prostatomegaly was noted. A finger-guided prostate biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed primary prostatic signet- ring carcinoma. This diagnosis is one of exclusion, as metastasis from other sites, such as the gastrointestinal or urogenital systems, must be ruled out. Comprehensive imaging and clinical assessment are essential to ensure the primary origin of the carcinoma. Given the rarity of the disease, there is no established treatment protocol for primary prostatic signet-ring carcinoma. However, aggressive multimodal treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation, can be considered based on the individual case, extent of disease, and overall patient condition. Early detection and a tailored therapeutic approach may improve prognosis, but this remains a challenging condition to manage.

References

1. Al Khader A, Nsour E, Al Edwan T. Prostatic signet-ring adenocarcinoma: A case report. Journal of Men's Health. 2022 Apr 7:18(4):90.

2. Sidhu SK, Mohd Sharin MF, Mohd Ghani KA, Mohd Zainuddin SA, Azizan N, Hayati F. Primary prostatic signet ring cell carcinoma in elderly with obstructive uropathy: A case report. African Journal of Urology. 2022 Dec 28(1):16.

3. Warner JN, Nakamura LY, Pacelli A, Humphreys MR, Castle EP. Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate. InMayo Clinic Proceedings 2010 Dec 1 (Vol. 85, No. 12, pp. 1130-1136). Elsevier.

4. Gupta A, Gulwani HV. A rare case of primary signet ring-like cell carcinoma of prostate in an elderly male. Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology. 2020 Apr 1;63(2):338-9.

5. Arora K. (2021) Prostate gland & seminal vesicles Acinar/ ductal adenocarcinoma Signet ring cell carcinoma. Topic Completed 2012 Mar 01, Minor Changes 2021 Jan 11. PathologyOutlines.com.

6. Anthony Kodzo-Grey Venyo. (2021) Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate Gland: A Review and Update. Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics. 5(3); Doi: 10.31579/2640-1053/082

7. Tiwari D, Nayak B, Seth A. Good response of an aggressive rare variant of signet ring cell carcinoma of prostate with hormonal therapy. Case Reports. 2017 Mar 8:2017:bcr2016217567.

8. Khan K, Bandyopadhyay A, Gangopadhyay M, Chakraborty S, Bera P. Secondary signet ring cell carcinoma of prostate. Nigerian Journal of Surgery. 2012;18(1).

9. Warner JN, Nakamura LY, Pacelli A, Humphreys MR, Castle EP. Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate. InMayo Clinic Proceedings 2010 Dec 1 (Vol. 85, No. 12. pp. 1130-1136). Elsevier.

10. Zhang Y, Shen H, Liao K, Wu W, Li J, Yu H, Wu H, Wang Z. Case report: prostate adenocarcinoma with mucinous features of normal-level serum PSA, atypical imaging, biopsy-negative, and peculiar urethrocystoscopic manifestation. Frontiers in Oncology. 2020 Dec 23 10:504381.

11. Koufopoulos N. Ieronimaki AI, Zacharatou A, Gouloumis AR, Leventakou D, Boutas I, Dimas DT, Kontogeorgi A, Sitara K, Khaldi L, Zanelli M. A case of prostatic signet-ring cell-like carcinoma with pagetoid spread and intraductal carcinoma and long-term survival: PD-L1 and mismatch repair system proteins (MMR) immunohistochemical evaluation with systematic literature review. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2023 Jun 19;13(6):1016.

12. Bostwick DG. Grading prostate cancer. American journal of clinical pathology. 1994 Oct 1:102(4 Suppl 1):S38-56.

13. Kim SW, Kim W, Cho YH, Kim TJ, Woo I, Sohn DW. Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate treated by radical cystoprostatectomy and chemoradiotherapy. Canadian Urological Association Journal. 2016 May 12:10(5-6):E204.

14. Gök A, Tuygun C. Akmansu M, Uslu AA, Kartal IG, Sandikçi F, Karabacak OR, Sağnak AL, Topaloğlu H, Ersoy H. Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate: a rare case report. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2018 Aug 15;7(8):218.

15. Kalaitzis C, Koukourakis M, Giannakopoulos S, Giatromanolaki A, Sivridis E, Bantis A, Touloupidis S. Metastatic Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate with PSA Value of 8.6 ng/ml at 5-Year-Followup after Prostatectomy, Radiotherapy, and Androgen Deprivation. Case Reports in Urology. 2014;2014(1):218628.

Downloads

Published

20-09-2025

How to Cite

1.
Kaur N, Dogra N, Shelly D, Das AK, Pareek T. Unveiling the Rarity: Primary Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate. Ann of Pathol and Lab Med [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 20 [cited 2025 Dec. 5];12(9):C147-C150. Available from: https://pacificejournals.com/journal/index.php/apalm/article/view/3519

Issue

Section

Case Report