Adenocarcinomas of the seminal vesicles are the most common malignant primary neoplasm of the seminal vesicles.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Primary adenocarcinomas of the seminal vesicles are very rare 1,2 and can be observed at a wide age range 2.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria
The following modified diagnostic criteria have been described for diagnosis 2:
- main tumor localization in the seminal vesicle
- seminal vesicle invasion by other cancers needs to be excluded (e.g. PSA, PAP and CEA negative)
- preferable papillary growth pattern resembling the seminal vesicle architecture
Clinical presentation
There is a lack of specific symptoms and therefore patients usually present with advanced stages.
Haematospaermia, hematuria, dysuria other obstructive symptoms, or pelvic pain are possible forms of presentation with digital rectal examination the only clinical examination which can indicate the presence of a tumor in the seminal vesicles in up to 30% 1-4.
Complications
Primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicles tends to metastasize to pelvic, paraaortic and other lymph nodes as well as to the lungs and liver. Other sites of metastases including bone have been reported 1.
Pathology
Macroscopic appearance
Tumors are required to be mainly or exclusively localized in the seminal vesicle 1,4.
Microscopic appearance
Microscopically tumors need to be consistent with adenocarcinomas 4. Histological features include 2:
- hobnail appearance of tumor cells
- transparent cytoplasm
- papillary glandular architecture
Immunophenotype
Immunohistochemistry stains are usually positive for CA-125 and CK7 and negative for CK20 and prostatic markers such as PSA and PAP 1.
Markers
CA-125 is usually elevated in primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicles and is rarely normal, whereas prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP) and CEA are usually normal 1-3.
Radiographic features
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have been mainly used for the visualization of the seminal vesicles 1,2. Seminal vesicle adenocarcinomas are usually circumscribed and confined or mainly located in the seminal vesicles and might appear solid or cystic 3,4.
CT
CT findings include various descriptions of solid heterogeneously enhancing masses centered around the seminal vesicles 1,3.
MRI
Findings on MRI have been reported with heterogeneous and lobulated features as papillary or cystic necrotic with solid components and often high signal in T1 weighted images 1-4.
Nuclear medicine
PET-CT shows FDG-uptake in the primary tumor and has been used for the diagnosis, staging and evaluation of treatment 1-3.
Radiology report
The radiological report should include a description of the following:
- form, location and size of the tumor
- tumor margins
- prostatic invasion
- bladder invasion
- suspicious or enlarged lymph nodes
Treatment and prognosis
Management is usually multimodal including radical surgery in combination with radiation therapy hormone and chemotherapy 1. Prognosis is considered poor with the vast majority of patients dying in less than 3 years probably party due to the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis in most cases 1-4.
History and etymology
Primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicles was first reported by O. Lyons in 1925 1,2. Dalgaard and Giertson initially described the criteria for the diagnosis in 1956 1 which were later modified 2.
Differential diagnosis
Conditions mimicking the clinical presentation or imaging appearance of primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicles include 1: