Generalized lymphadenopathy: a rare presentation of disseminated prostate cancer

Prostate cancer most often metastases to regional lymph nodes and bones by hematogenous or lymphatic spread. Metastases to the supradiaphragmatic nodes are rare. A 56-yr-old male smoker with generalized lymphadenopathy was referred to our center with the complaints of weight loss of 15 kg and severe back and leg pain. On computed tomography of the thorax and abdomen, massive mediastinal, intra-abdominal, retroperitoneal, and inguinal lymphadenopathies with hydroureteronephrosis of the left kidney were noted. Excisional biopsy of left cervical lymph node revealed metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma and transrectal biopsy of the prostate disclosed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Bone marrow aspiration biopsy, done for the differential diagnosis of anemia, also showed infiltration with prostate-specific antigen positive neoplastic cells. Supradiaphragmatic spread of prostate cancer has been postulated to be by a hematogenous route via the vertebral venous system, or Batson's plexus, accessible via direct extension from the primary cancer site.