ABSTRACT
Primary amyloidosis of the genitourinary tract is uncommon, and isolated invasion of the glans penis is exceptionally rare Degos et al. (Bull Soc Fr Dermatol Syphiligr 68:159, 1961). We report a case of localised amyloidosis of the glans penis in a 40-year-old presenting as an asymptomatic penile mass which changed after 10 years prompting treatment. We believe this to be the longest interval recorded between clinical occurrence and histological diagnosis of primary penile amyloidosis.
Subject(s)
Amyloidosis/pathology , Asymptomatic Diseases , Penile Diseases/pathology , Adult , Disease Progression , Humans , Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis , Male , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Epithelioid haemangioma of the penis is a rare condition which usually presents a solid single nodule. We report a case in a 43-year-old man who presented with painful erections and sleep disturbance with two palpable penile nodules. Magnetic resonance imaging with an artificially induced erection revealed these as individual lesions, and local excision was successfully undertaken. Pathological diagnosis of epithelioid haemangioma was confirmed with positive staining for CD31. Although rare, penile epithelioid haemangioma should be considered as a differential in an atypical penile mass. Induction in of an artificial erection prior to MRI can aid diagnosis and treatment is typically with surgical excision.
Subject(s)
Hemangioma/complications , Pain/etiology , Penile Erection , Penile Neoplasms/complications , Sleep Deprivation/etiology , Adult , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
A 61-year-old man with recurrent rectal carcinoma was referred to the urology clinic with two penile lesions. These had negatively affected his quality of life and he underwent a radical circumcision and proximal glansectomy with reconstruction. This case report examines the clinical presentation and surgical treatment of rectal carcinoma metastasising to the penis.
Subject(s)
Penile Neoplasms/secondary , Rectal Neoplasms/pathology , Combined Modality Therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Penile Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Penile Neoplasms/surgery , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Plastic Surgery ProceduresABSTRACT
Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal antiandrogen used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Although widely accepted as an androgen receptor antagonist, the mechanism by which it induces apoptosis remains unclear. Defining exact pathways by which bicalutamide induces its apoptotic effects would help to advance its clinical applications. We aimed to (a) examine the apoptotic effects of bicalutamide at 24 h and (b) comment on the role of the caspases and calpains in mediating bicalutamide-induced apoptosis in androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cells. PWR-1E, PC-3 and DU-145 cells were treated with bicalutamide and assessed for apoptosis by flow cytometry at 24 h. DU-145 cells were used to compare differences between two different metastatic receptor-negative cells and to verify apoptotic induction at 48 h. To delineate a specific pathway of action for bicalutamide, PC-3 and PWR-1E cells were pretreated with specific inhibitors of caspase-dependent (zVAD-FMK) and caspase-independent pathways (calpain 2 inhibitor). Bicalutamide induced apoptosis in androgen-dependent PWR-1E cells via a caspase-dependent and calpain-independent mechanism. In androgen-independent PC-3 cells, bicalutamide also induced apoptosis by mechanisms that were partially inhibited by pan-caspase inhibition but were partially calpain dependent. Understanding into how bicalutamide exerts its effects in androgen-independent cells will yield further insights into the treatment of hormone-refractory disease.