Disseminated Cryptococcosis With Prostate Involvement in a Patient With T-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia and Prostate Cancer

Abstract

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) presents unique treatment challenges because of its rarity and aggressiveness. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers a potentially curative option, but its safety in patients with concurrent invasive fungal infections and solid malignancies remains uncertain. We present a case of a 68-year-old male with T-PLL who developed disseminated cryptococcal disease with prostate involvement and concurrent prostate cancer (PCa). Despite the challenges, successful control of the infection and radical prostatectomy enabled the patient to proceed safely to allogeneic transplantation. The case highlights the importance of vigilance for unusual infections, such as Cryptococcus, in immunocompromised patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. Clinicians should consider the possibility of PCa in this population, particularly in the context of chronic leukemia. Concurrently, the potential association between fungal prostate infections and PCa warrants further investigation.