Henoch-Schonlein purpura associated with cancer of prostate

The first case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura associated with cancer of the prostate is presented. This is a syndrome rare in adults and believed to be a form of an immune complex disease. It has been associated with several tumors but has never been reported in conjunction with prostatic cancer. The pathophysiology of the skin and renal lesions are discussed as well as the relationship to the immune system. The immunocompetence of patients with cancer of the prostate is considered. We postulate a theory why this syndrome developed in this patient.