Small cell prostate cancer
Small cell prostate cancer is a rare type of prostate cancer. Less than 2 in every 100 prostate cancers (less than 2%) are small cell prostate cancer. They are a type of 
prostate cancer.
Small cell prostate cancer is different to the most common type of prostate cancer. It grows more quickly than other types. Most people with small cell prostate cancer have advanced cancer at diagnosis. This means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the bones.
Symptoms of small cell prostate cancer
The most common symptoms of small cell prostate cancer include:
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difficulty passing urine
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pain
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confusion
You may also have a group of symptoms called paraneoplastic syndrome. This is when you have high levels of certain in the body. Symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome include:
- pricking, tingling or numbness in your arms, hands, legs and feet
- muscle cramps
- difficulty walking
- difficulty swallowing
- problems with your memory
Tests for small cell prostate cancer
The tests you have are similar to other types of prostate cancer. Tests you might have include:
bone scan CT scan MRI scan - blood tests including a
PSA blood test - a
biopsy
Small cell prostate cancer develops from neuroendocrine cells of the prostate. These types of cells don’t make prostate specific antigen (PSA). So the PSA level in men with small cell prostate cancer is often normal, or only slightly higher than normal. This is different from people with more common types of prostate cancer.
Treatment for small cell prostate cancer
The treatment is different to the treatment for other types of prostate cancer. Most small cell prostate cancers have spread to other parts of the body by the time they are diagnosed. This is metastatic prostate cancer.
The aim of treatment is to control the cancer for as long as possible. Treatment can also reduce your symptoms and help you feel better.
The main treatment for small cell prostate cancer is chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs to destroy cancer cells. You usually have chemotherapy drugs that doctors use for other small cell cancers. For example, small cell lung cancer.
You usually have a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Commonly used chemotherapy drugs include:
-
etoposide
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cisplatin
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carboplatin
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docetaxel
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doxorubicin
Radiotherapy
You may also have radiotherapy during or after chemotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to destroy prostate cancer cells. This can help to shrink the cancer and help you to feel better.
Radiotherapy can also help to control symptoms. For example, if your cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the bones.
Surgery
You may have surgery as well as chemotherapy if your cancer is just within the prostate gland. You have chemotherapy before or after surgery. You usually have a radical prostatectomy. This means taking out the whole of your prostate gland.
Surgery is not usually possible for advanced small cell prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy doesn’t usually work very well for this type of prostate cancer. It is a treatment for the most common type of prostate cancer (adenocarcinoma). Some people have a mixture of small cell prostate cancer and adenocarcinoma of the prostate. You might have hormone therapy if your doctors think that you have both types of cancer.
You might have hormone therapy with chemotherapy.
Research and clinical trials
Doctors are always trying to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. But small cell prostate cancer is very rare. So it is harder to research than other more common types of prostate cancer.
Researchers around the world are looking into immunotherapy for small cell prostate cancer. This is early stage research. It's not clear whether these treatments will work well for small cell prostate cancer.
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for prostate cancer in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Coping with small cell prostate cancer
Coping with a rare condition can be difficult, both practically and emotionally. Having information can help you to make decisions and cope with what happens. It can also help to talk to other people who have the same condition.
You can visit Cancer Chat. This is Cancer Research UK's discussion forum. It is a place for anyone affected by cancer. You can share experiences, stories and information with other people who are affected by cancer.
You may also find it helpful to contact the Rare Cancer Alliance who offer support and information to people who have rare cancers.
