Prostatic sarcoidosis. Review of genitourinary sarcoidosis

Genitourinary sarcoidosis: An essential review for the practicing clinician

INTRODUCTION

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease that commonly involves the lungs, but may also present with extrapulmonary manifestations. Genitourinary (GU) tract involvement has been traditionally thought to be rare, but that view may underestimate the true prevalence of the disease due to the often, silent presentation thereof.

METHODS

The literature pertaining to sarcoidosis from the general systemic point of view, etiology and therapy and with regard to specific organs was reviewed by identifying key words in a PubMed search. That material with special relevance to the Indian experience was emphasized.

RESULTS

There are a number of isolated case reports in the literature describing symptomatic and asymptomatic GU tract sarcoidosis. The world literature associated with the generalized syndrome was reviewed and summarized. Specific aspects of GU involvement are presented for each organ of the GU tract.

CONCLUSIONS

It is critical for the practicing clinician to have a working knowledge of the clinical manifestations of this disease as it involves the GU tract, as well as to be able to distinguish it from tuberculosis and the various malignancies that affect this organ system.

Testicular Sarcoidosis: Sonographic Findings

Testicular sarcoidosis is a rare but benign entity. It is often mistaken for testicular neoplasm, leading to orchiectomy. It is, therefore, extremely important to identify and correctly diagnose testicular sarcoidosis on sonography to avoid unnecessary orchiectomy. This case study reports a young patient who had a prior history of unilateral orchiectomy for cryporchidism and presented with testicular lesions on the contralateral testis. He was later found to have skin lesions and chest symptoms that led to a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

[Prostatic granulomas revealing a peripheral T-cell lymphoma]

INTRODUCTION

The presence of granulomas on tissue biopsie has been reported in a wide range of disorders. The clinical presentation and the diagnostic work-up of granulomatosis can be difficult as it is illustrated in the following report.

CASE REPORT

A 59-year-old patient was referred in 2002 for a granulomatous prostatitis. Physical examination was normal. Except for the increase of prostate-specific antigen (which motivated a biopsy), the laboratory results were normal. Thoracic CT-scan disclosed mediastinal lymph nodes. A minor salivary gland biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. In 2004, the patient presented an epidermal necrolysis, and in 2005 the deterioration of general status raised suspicion of a lymphoproliferative disorder. Liver and bone marrow biopsies revealed a granulomatous process. Despite steroid therapy, the patient died. Autopsy discloses a anaplasic T cell lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

This report illustrates the relationship between sarcoidosis and lymphoma as a mode of presentation, a complication, or an accidental but misleading association? The association between anaplastic lymphoma and sarcoidosis is exceptional.

A rare and unusual cause of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) elevation: sarcoidosis of the prostate

Sarcoidosis and prostate cancer are 2 separate conditions that are more prevalent among the African American population. However, sarcoidosis of the prostate is a very rare clinical entity. Its association with prostate cancer is described in clinical case series. The use of PSA (prostate specific antigen) test for screening prostate cancer may be associated with false-positive results in this patient population. We report a patient who had an elevated PSA but had a biopsy proven to be sarcoidosis of the prostate gland.

Sarcoidosis of the prostate

A 55-year-old African-American man with clinical stage T1c prostate cancer underwent prostatectomy. Non-caseating, epithelioid granulomata adjacent to the anterior fibromuscular stroma were found incidentally. The granulomata included Langhans giant cells with rare conchoidal bodies. The distribution of the granulomata was not that of non-specific granulomatous prostatitis centred around ducts and glands. By immunohistochemistry, the epithelioid cells were positive for angiotensin-converting enzyme. The histological appearance suggested sarcoidosis, which was confirmed by the clinical history. Four years earlier, the patient had been treated for sarcoidosis.