A case of prostatic cancer discovered from lung metastatic lesions

We report a case in a 70-year-old patient indicated to have a metastatic lesion from a chest X-ray taken during a medical examination. His blood prostatic specific antigen level was very high at 100 ng/ml (normal, less than 4.0 ng/ml). Palpation of the prostate disclosed enlargement to hen's egg size with an irregular surface and indurations bilaterally. Transrectal sextant needle biopsy of the prostate was performed, revealing moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan and bone scintigraphy showed intrapelvic lymphnode adenopathy and metastasis to the right pubic bone. Under a diagnosis of stage D2 prostate cancer, we initiated endocrine therapy (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue depot every 4 weeks and bicalutamide). Androgen blockage was very effective and after 6 months, the PSA level had decreased markedly to below 0.2 ng/ml. Sixteen months later, pulmonary metastasis completely disappeared. He is currently free from recurrence and progressing well.