Dramatically elevated circulating tumor cell numbers in a patient with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate.

Detection of circulating tumor cells in whole blood is a useful prognostic tool for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, as well as for patients with metastatic breast cancer and colorectal carcinoma. In this report, we present the case of a patient with neuroendocrine small cell prostate cancer with normal prostate-specific antigen levels throughout the course of disease but who had markedly elevated circulating tumor cells, as detected with the CellSearch (Veridex) system.

Circulating tumor cells in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer baseline values and correlation with prognostic factors.

Purpose: Circulating tumor cells (CTC) have been recently accepted by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States as a prognostic tool in advanced prostate cancer. However, a number of questions remain about the use of the test. The optimal clinical cut-off has never been determined.

Monitoring response, prediction methodology, staging, and imaging in prostate cancer.

The predictive values of various tests and examinations are assessed as they relate to prostate cancer progression and treatment. The usefulness of post-treatment biopsy specimens is greatest 2 years after radiation therapy completion. Gleason grading is not reliable in the setting of hormonal ablation therapy.

Keratosis lichenoides chronica mimicking verrucous secondary syphilis.

Keratosis lichenoides chronica is a rare dermatosis of unknown etiology with a wide variety of cutaneous manifestations. We present a 47-year-old male with a history of progressive and recalcitrant hyperkeratotic and warty plaques, mimicking verrucous secondary syphilis both clinically and microscopically. We review the clinical manifestations, microscopic features, and treatment modalities for this rare and distinctive dermatosis.

Localized argyria with pseudo-ochronosis.

Background: Localized argyria is uncommon and presents clinically as asymptomatic slate gray macules or blue macules resembling blue nevi. Its histopathologic features are usually similar to those of generalized argyria in which silver granules are found most commonly around the eccrine glands, in the walls of blood vessels, and along elastic fibers. Ochre swollen homogenized collagen bundles resembling ochronosis have not been previously described.