Small-cell carcinoma of the prostate (SCCP) is a rare entity. Many treatment modalities have been done, but thus far no uniform treatment has been clearly established. We carried out
combination chemotherapy with
gemcitabine,
docetaxel, and
carboplatin (GDC) regimen (for two patients with refractory SCCP. Case 1 involved a 53-year-old man diagnosed with SCCP after receiving
hormone therapy for
prostate cancer (stage D1). Six cycles of GDC
chemotherapy was applied. Initially the primary site reduced according with a decline of neuro-specific
enolase and with relief of the symptoms; however,
bone disease occurred and he died of
cancer 13 months after diagnosis of SCCP. Case 2 involved a 69-year-old man complaining of severe anal
pain. He underwent a biopsy and a huge prostate
tumor showing SCCP was showed. He had pelvic node
metastases but no distant lesions, and received four cycles of GDC
chemotherapy. He was discharged after receiving subsequent
radiotherapy and remained stable for a while; however, he died of possible
drug-induced hepatitis. This is the first report of
chemotherapy with GDC against patients with SCCP. This regimen raised the possibility that it would intensify the outcome, which had been poorly achieved.