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World Journal of Oncology

Case Report

Volume 3, Number 2, April 2012, pages 83-86

Brain Metastasis From Prostate Adenocarcinoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

Brain metastasis occurs in approximately 25% of patients with malignant disease, and, conversely, 50% of neoplasms in the brain are metastatic [1]. The most common sources of metastasis to the brain are carcinoma of the lung, breast, kidney, and melanoma [2, 3]. It is rare for prostate carcinoma to metastasize to the central nervous system (CNS) [1]. The frequency of brain metastasis reported in autopsy series is very low in patients with a pre-mortem diagnosis of prostate carcinoma [1], and antemortem diagnosis of intracranial metastasis has been achieved in only 0.1% of cases [4]. Starting by a case report, a review of relevant literature is discussed to better understand this uncommon entity.

A man, 62 years old, was admitted at our Institute on October 2010 with a recent history of left limbs hypoesthesia and gait instability. Moreover, at the neurological examination a complete cerebellar syndrome associated to hypogeusia and weakness of left arm were found. A brain Magnetic Resonance (MR) with gadolinium showed six distinct cerebral cystic lesions (Fig. 1). A total-body Computed Tomography (CT) was performed with the evidence of multiple right lung nodules, a cystic right renal lesion and irregular prostate margins. The patient did not refer urinary impairment and the serum PSA value was 38.12 ng/dl. Multiple prostate biopsies were obtained and the histology showed adenocarcinoma and a positive immunohistochemical stain for PSA. The right frontal lesion was removed to achieve histologic characterization (Fig. 2). It was demonstrated to be a metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma with a diffuse immunohistochemical stain for PSA and PSMA (Fig. 3). The patient underwent palliative radiation therapy.

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Figure 1. Brain MR with gadolinium showing the six distinct intraparenchymal lesions.

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Figure 2. Post-operative brain TC.

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Figure 3. Histologic patterns: immunohistochemical stain for PSA (A) and PSMA (B).

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death due to malignant disease in U.S. [5]. The most common sites of prostate cancer metastasis include the bone, lung and liver [6]. Brain metastasis is very rare. The reported incidence at autopsy vary from 0.6% to 4.4% and mostly involved structure are the leptomeninges (67%), followed by the cerebrum (25%) and cerebellum (8%) [6, 7]. On the other hand, the diagnosis of metastatic prostate carcinoma to the brain has rarely been made in living patients. However, with the increasing incidence of this type of cancer and with improved patient survival from better therapeutic regimens, the incidence of symptomatic brain metastasis from prostate carcinoma is likely to increase [8].

Despite prostatic neoplastic cells seem to have a low affinity for cerebral tissue [9], Sutton et al. suggest that brain metastasis appear when a severe impairment of immune system or a destruction of the blood brain barrier occur [6]. This hypothesis is confirmed by the fact that brain prostate metastasis represent often a late event when the disease has already metastasizes widespread to other organs. Routes of dissemination of advanced stage prostate cancer to the CNS include direct extension from a skull lesion, lymphatic spread and vascular embolization [10].

In all published series reviewed (Table 1), adenocarcinoma was the most common histologic type in brain metastasis from prostate carcinoma, as expected. However, other histologic types far less common at the primary site had a greater likelihood of brain metastasis than could be expected from their incidence. In particular, Salvati et al. in their series found that in patients with small cells carcinoma (SCC) the interval between diagnosis of primitive and clinical onset of brain metastasis was shorter than in the cases of adenocarcinoma [5]. Serum levels of PSA are not correlated with the development of brain metastasis, as demonstrated by literature [7, 11].

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Table 1. Largest Series Reported in Literature and Reviewed

In our review, the most common neurological manifestations were nonfocal and included cognitive changes and headache, suggesting that the final pathogenic mechanisms resulting in clinical symptoms frequently are increased intracranial pressure and a frontal lobe syndrome. However, multifocal symptoms may be expected when the brain lesions are multiple as in the case we reported. Seizures are also pretty common and should be considered a clear sign of brain involvement.

Treatments available for intracranial metastasis include neurosurgery, external beam radiation and hormonal manipulation [6, 10]. Tremont-Lukats et al. reported that these patients, if left untreated, present a very poor survival (about 1 - 2 months). Surgery associated with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) seems to be effective in the control of brain lesions both relieving neurological symptoms and prolonging survival, even if prognosis remains dismal. At the light of the analyzed literature, we suggest surgery of the metastatic lesion or of the most symptomatic one in case of multiple lesions followed by WBRT. Differently, when lesions are deep or located in eloquent areas, because of the high surgical risks, a biopsy and radiotherapy should be performed.

Brain metastasis from prostate carcinoma is a rare, terminal event with death in one year frequently due to the advanced systemic disease. The possibility of intraparenchymal metastasis always should be considered in a patient with prostate carcinoma who develops neurologic symptoms. On the contrary, the prostate should not be neglected as a possible source of the metastasis in male patients presenting with brain metastasis without any known site of primary tumor. Finally, a better understanding of the biology of prostate carcinoma will help clarify the basis for its metastasis to the brain.

Conflict of Interest

The authors do not have any conflict of interest or financial arrangement.

Grant Support

The authors do not have any financial arrangement.

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