Demographics, Histopathology, and Treatment Outcomes of Squamous Cell
Carcinoma of the Prostate
Abstract
Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate (SCCP) is a neoplasm
that comprises fewer than 1% of all primary prostate cancer diagnoses.
Given its rarity, there is a paucity of data regarding the treatment of
this disease. The limited literature points to the potential of local
therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy to improve patient mortality.
Methods: Using the National Cancer Initiative’s Surveillance,
Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we conducted a
retrospective analysis for patients diagnosed with primary SCCP between
2000 and 2018. We analyzed patient demographics, tumor characteristics,
such as histology, and patient outcomes based on treatment modality. We
generated Kaplan-Meier five-year overall survival (5y OS) curves for
these variables. Results: A total of 66 patients were identified.
Five-year overall survival was 18%; median overall survival was 13
months. Patients with Grade II and below disease had an increased 5y OS
of 48%, compared to 10% for patients with Grade III and Grade IV
disease (p < 0.05). Analysis of the 5y OS based on disease
histology revealed patients with papillary SCC had a 5y OS of 50%,
compared to 26% for patients with papillary carcinoma, not otherwise
specified. Analysis of 5y OS stratified by treatment modality revealed
no statistically significant change with any treatment (surgery,
radiotherapy, and chemotherapy). Conclusions: The literature on SCCP
remains sparse; the rarity of this disease limits analysis. While the
investigation undertaken in this paper does not find any change in 5y OS
regardless of treatment modality, the variation in 5y OS based on
histologic classification of SCCP points to a potential route for the
future treatment of this disease.