[Transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate]

Transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate (TCCP) has become a well recognized entity, showing an increasing incidence due to the growing research awareness. TCCP is part of the well known pan-urothelial disease: the urologist, therefore, is strongly recommended to consider the prostate at any time in the management of superficial and invasive bladder cancer. Several cases are diagnosed in association with bladder cancer (secondary TCCP): primary prostatic transitional cell carcinoma arises 'de novo' as first tumour of the prostate urothelium and is rare. Prognosis depends on the prostate invasion degree. No reliable staging systems are presently available. Non-invasive TCCP can be successfully treated with conservative means (TUR +/- BCG), whereas stromal invasive TCCP must be aggressively treated with radical cystectomy. TCCP can interphere with surgeon's decisions about urinary diversion in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial cancer.