Prostate cancer misdiagnosed as prostatic abscess: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: As one of the most common malignant tumors in men, prostate cancer (PCa) has garnered substantial research investment from the medical community. However, due to multiple challenges in diagnostic techniques and clinical practice, cases of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis still persist. CASE PRESENTATION: This article presents a case of a 36-year-old male renal transplant recipient (RTR) who was initially misdiagnosed with prostatic abscess (PA) due to perineal discomfort, but was later confirmed to have PCa through surgery. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the similarities in symptoms and imaging manifestations between PCa and PA, as well as the complexity involved in diagnosing PCa. Furthermore, the article particularly underscores the significance of being vigilant about the increased risk of PCa following kidney transplantation, employing clinical examination methods judiciously, and enhancing the ability to differentiate PCa.