[A primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicles. Case report of a rare malignancy].

Primary malignancies of the seminal vesicles are extremely rare. They must be strictly differentiated from surrounding malignancies that may infiltrate the seminal vesicles from outside (e.g. prostate, rectum, and bladder carcinoma). MEDLINE and CANCERLIT review showed about 50 documented cases of primary seminal vesicle carcinoma so far worldwide in men between 19 and 90 years of age. Early diagnosis may be difficult due to lack of specific symptoms. Especially with a history of voiding dysfunction, haemospermia and/or haematuria, investigators should consider it. Primary diagnostic steps include digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound, and transrectal biopsy of the tumour. Additionally, CT and MRT scans show tumour masses corresponding to the seminal vesicles. Adenocarcinoma of seminal vesicles shows no expression of prostate-specific antigen or prostate-specific acid phosphatase, but there may be expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 125. Radical surgery including radical prostatectomy and/or cystoprostatectomy including pelvic lymph node dissection offers a curative treatment pathway. Adjuvant or inductive medical treatment is of unproven worth, but a combination of hormonal deprivation and radiotherapy seems to be more effective than any chemotherapy.