Localized Amyloidosis of the Seminal Tract is not Associated With Subsequent Development of Systemic Amyloidosis

Urology. 2022 Jun:164:46-49. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.12.008. Epub 2021 Dec 26.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if localized amyloidosis of the seminal tract (LAST) is associated with subsequent development of systemic amyloidosis. Prior reports recorded no systemic amyloidosis at the time of LAST diagnosis. However, no follow-up studies exist to confirm that LAST is not a risk factor for subsequent development of systemic amyloidosis.

Methods: Our study cohort included patients whose prostate biopsy (PB) or radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen demonstrated LAST between 2014-2021. Clinical variables including age, race/ethnicity, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and prostate weight were analyzed. Patients were assessed for clinical and laboratory evidence of systemic amyloidosis and lymphoproliferative conditions during the follow-up period.

Results: Thirty-six men (26 RPs, 9 PBs, and 1 cystoprostatectomy) had LAST. Our study cohort included 18 white Hispanic, 9 white non-Hispanic, 7 black, and 1 Asian men. Median age was 67 years, mean PSA was 9.8 ng/mL. Over a median follow-up period of 20 months (mean, 30) in 27 men, none developed systemic amyloidosis. Frequency of LAST in RP specimens was 1.2% (26/2,135) and corelated with age (67 vs 63 years, P-value = .004). Race/ethnicity, PSA, and prostate weight were not associated with the incidence of LAST.

Conclusions: LAST is not a harbinger of systemic disease. The incidence of LAST in a contemporary RP cohort is significantly lower than in previously published studies. While patient age positively corelates with LAST, PSA and prostate weight are not associated with the condition. There is no difference in the frequency of LAST between white Hispanic, white non-Hispanic, and black men.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis* / complications
  • Amyloidosis* / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis* / surgery
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Prostatectomy
  • Racial Groups
  • Vas Deferens / pathology

Substances

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen