Unusual Signet Ring Cell Change in Prostate Specimens obtained after Transurethral Resection: An Immunohistochemical Study

The term ‘signet ring cell’ is used to describe the histological appearance of a tumour cell characterised by a compressed peripheral nucleus in the shape of a crescent and a large cytoplasmic vacuole [1]. Traditionally, such cells have been considered a hallmark of high-grade signet ring cell adenocarcinoma [2]. In prostatic tissue, these cells signify either primary or secondary adenocarcinoma. Similar-looking cells were observed in specimens exhibiting only nodular hyperplasia. While searching the literature, very few articles were found that report such non neoplastic signet ring cell changes in Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) specimens [3-5]. These non malignant cells have been identified as either lymphocytes or stromal cells [4,5]. Alguacil-Garcia regarded this as an artefactual, degenerative change induced by the TURP procedure [4].