Metastatic small cell carcinoma of the prostate in an octogenarian with significant response to first-line chemotherapy

Abstract

Patients with small cell carcinoma of the prostate generally present with metastatic disease and have an estimated life expectancy measured in months. In this brief report, we present a case of rapidly progressive metastatic small cell carcinoma of the prostate in an octogenarian with significant response to split-dosed cisplatin and etoposide. This case report shows that cautious treatment with platinum-based regimens should still be considered in elderly patients given the potential for improvement in performance status and quality of life with chemotherapy. Additionally, this case highlights that platinum-based regimens are still considered the therapeutic backbone of prostate cancers with a mixed small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma phenotype.