Biopsy-proven brain metastases from prostate cancer: a series of four cases with review of the literature

Int Urol Nephrol. 2013 Jun;45(3):735-42. doi: 10.1007/s11255-013-0462-7. Epub 2013 May 11.

Abstract

Aims: Prostate cancer is very common and is the second most common cause of cancer death in males in Australia; however, brain metastases are exceedingly rare.

Materials and methods: We review four cases of biopsy-proven brain metastases from prostate cancer and review the relevant literature.

Results: Three of four patients had acinar adenocarcinoma of prostate with one patient having ductal adenocarcinoma variant on histopathology. Three patients had the brain as the only site of metastatic disease. All patients underwent surgery, and three of four patients underwent adjuvant palliative radiotherapy to the brain.

Conclusion: Brain metastases from prostate cancer are rare, but brain metastases without other sites of metastatic disease are exceedingly rare and may be more common with ductal adenocarcinoma variant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed