Ribosome-lamella complexes in a case of transitional cell carcinoma involving the prostate

We report ribosome-lamella complexes (RLC) in cancer cells of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the prostate in a 52-year-old Caucasian man. Histopathologically, cancer cells were proliferated in various-sized nests, mostly associated with central necrosis. Some invaded into the surrounding normal glandular space and the stroma, with occasional lymphatic invasion. Fine structural study of cancer cells revealed that cross-sectioned RLC as well as densely aggregated ribosomes were detected in their cytoplasm, situated close to, but not directly connected with, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. These were composed of a concentric alternative arrangement of both lamellae and ribosomes. In the central and surrounding parts of the RLC, ribosomes were observed, revealing a smooth transition to the ribosomal component of RLC in size and shape. The presence of both RLC and dense aggregation of ribosomes close to the rough endoplasmic reticulum suggests that their functions might be related to specific or aberrant protein synthesis under unknown conditions. Although RLC have been often reported in hematopoietic malignancies, their occurrence in the malignant epithelial component has been only reported in a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. This is the first report of RLC in TCC in the literature.