Prostate cancer presenting as cervical lymphadenopathy

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in many Western countries and is the second-leading cause of cancer in men. More than 30% of men over the age of 50 will develop a malignant change in the prostate. Common sites of metastasis include bone and regional lymph nodes.

This is a case report of prostate cancer in an elderly man presenting with cough and cervical lymphadenopathy. The lymph node cytology reported moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemistry of the biopsy specimen with PSA staining demonstrated the malignancy to be of prostatic origin. The patient responded dramatically to androgen blockade therapy. Clearing of chest infiltrates and regression in size of cervical lymph nodes were evident within 6 months.

Prostate cancer should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of generalized lymphadenopathy in males with adenocarcinoma of undetermined origin, even in the absence of lower urinary tract symptoms. Immunohistochemistry with PSA staining can confirm the diagnosis. Hormonal therapy is an effective treatment modality, even in patients with an advanced stage of disease.