Initial diagnosis and successful treatment of pulmonary tumor embolism manifesting as the first clinical sign of prostatic adenocarcinoma

Although pulmonary tumor embolism (PTE) is a well-recognized end-stage form of pulmonary metastases at postmortem examination, the entity is rarely the first clinical sign of prostate cancer. Diagnosis of this condition in patients who have no previous history of malignancy is a challenge. Herein, we reported a 79-year-old man presented with progressive, unexplained dyspnea on exertion. Microscopic PTE coinciding with pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis were readily recognized based on the presence of multifocal dilatation and beading of the peripheral pulmonary arteries with thickening of the bronchial walls and interlobular septa on the initial thin-section chest CT images. Pathologic examination of the transbronchial lung biopsy specimen revealed tumor emboli occluding both the small muscular pulmonary arteries and lymphatic vessels. These tumor cells were positive for prostatic specific antigen on immunohistochemical staining. The final diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma was confirmed. Remarkable clinical and radiographic improvement was achieved following bilateral orchiectomies and anti-androgen treatment.

•

Pulmonary tumor embolism (PTE) can be the first clinical sign of advanced prostatic adenocarcinoma.

•

CT findings of dilated, beaded peripheral pulmonary arteries should raise a concern of microscopic PTE.

•

Dilated, beaded pulmonary arteries should not be mistaken for tree-in-bud opacities caused by bronchiolar disease on CT.

•

Prostate cancer should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of unknown origin in men.

Ureteral Metastasis Secondary to Prostate Cancer: A Case Report

Prostate cancer is very frequent, but secondary ureteral metastasis are extremely rare. We present a 55 year old man with a 2 month history of right flank pain and lower urinary tract symptoms. Prostatic specific antigen of 11.3 ng/mL. Computed tomography showed right hydroureteronephrosis, a developing urinoma and right iliac adenopathies. He underwent right ureteronephrectomy, iliac lymphadenectomy and prostate biopsy. Pathology revealed prostatic carcinoma infiltrating the ureteral muscularis propria, without mucosal involvement. There are 46 reported cases of prostate cancer with ureteral metastases. Ureteral metastasis are a rare cause of renal colic and need of a high index of suspicion.