Do HOXB13 and P63 have a role in differentiating poorly differentiated prostatic carcinoma from urothelial high-grade...

Poorly differentiated prostatic carcinoma may overlap with high-grade urothelial carcinoma; a distinction is a must as treatments differ. This study aims to evaluate traditional (PSA and HMWCK) and relatively novel (P63 and HOXB13) markers in distinguishing them; and to evaluate their role in the diagnosis of challenging cases. Sections from: diagnosed group includes 65 prostatic and urothelial carcinoma cases were stained with PSA, HMWCK, P63, and HOXB13. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were evaluated. The second group includes 25 challenging cases which were stained first by PSA and HMWCK, then solved the problematic cases with P63 and HOXB13. PSA and HMWCK were sensitive and specific for prostatic and urothelial carcinomas, respectively, but the sensitivity and accuracy were higher for P63 and HOXB13. By using the traditional markers, 17 cases were diagnosed in the second group while the remaining eight cases need the novel markers to be diagnosed. A confident diagnosis can be established in the majority of cases of poorly differentiated carcinoma in either prostatic or urothelial by using a panel of PSA and HMWCK. In some problematic cases, an extended panel including P63 and HOXB13 is helpful in resolving the diagnosis.