Prostate ductal adenocarcinoma exhibiting a late recurrence in the anterior urethra 13 years post-total prostatectomy: a case report

Abstract Background Prostate ductal adenocarcinoma, a rare histology observed in 0.4–0.8% of all prostate cancers, is treated similarly to acinar adenocarcinoma but tends to have a higher likelihood of metastasis, recurrence, and poorer prognosis. Case presentation A 73-year-old Asian-Japanese male presented with gross hematuria, with investigations revealing a prostate ductal adenocarcinoma. Subsequent radical prostatectomy indicated a Gleason score of 8 with no lymph node metastasis. Despite initial prostate-specific antigen level reductions post-prostatectomy and salvage radiation therapy due to recurring elevated prostate-specific antigen levels, no recurrence was evident until 13 years later. A tumor in the anterior urethra was identified as metastasis of his prostate ductal adenocarcinoma. Conclusion This report presents an uncommon case of prostate ductal adenocarcinoma exhibiting a late recurrence in the anterior urethra 13 years post-radical prostatectomy.