Analysis of bone metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma in 137 autopsy cases

Metastatic frequency to various organ sites in 137 autopsy cases with histologically confirmed prostatic adenocarcinoma was examined retrospectively. Bone lymph node metastases were observed in 81% and 82.5% of the cases, respectively. Lung and liver metastases were noted in 46.7% and 30.7% of the cases respectively. Statistical analysis of the inter-relation among metastases to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs and liver revealed that 83.2% of cases with lymph node metastasis also had bone metastasis. Sixty out of 64 cases with lung metastasis also presented with bone metastasis. There was a significant correlation of metastases between bones and lymph nodes, bones and lungs, and lymph nodes and lungs. Although approximately 88% of cases with liver metastasis also had bone metastasis, this relationship was not statistically significant. there was a statistically significant relationship between lung metastasis and specific sites of bone metastases, i.e. vertebrae, ribs, and sternum. Using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistical method, we found that the metastatic combination between lung and bone was significantly related in cases with or without lymph node metastasis. These observations suggest that the Batson's vertebral system might play an important role in the metastatic spread of prostatic adenocarcinoma either to the bones or lungs.