Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy Diagnosed as Prostate Cancer via Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in a Patient With a History of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report

TL;DR

A patient with a history of kidney cancer was found to have prostate cancer through a minimally invasive biopsy method, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis in atypical cases.

Contribution

Demonstrates the utility of EBUS-TBNA in distinguishing secondary malignancies from metastatic recurrence in patients with prior RCC.

Findings

EBUS-TBNA confirmed metastatic prostate cancer in a patient with a history of RCC.

Accurate diagnosis was achieved through histopathological analysis and tumor marker testing.

EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive and effective method for tissue sampling in atypical lymphadenopathy cases.

Abstract

In individuals with a history of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), mediastinal lymphadenopathy is frequently attributed to metastatic recurrence. However, secondary malignancies, despite their rarity, should also be considered. During routine follow-up examinations, a 63-year-old male with a history of renal cell carcinoma demonstrated progressive mediastinal lymphadenopathy. This was initially suspected to be a recurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The diagnosis of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma was confirmed by prostate biopsy and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, as determined by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and chemotherapy was initiated after the patient was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. This case underscores the critical role of EBUS-TBNA in the accurate diagnosis of patients with a history of RCC who demonstrate atypical mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The provision of tissue samples for histopathological analysis by EBUS-TBNA facilitated the differentiation between metastatic recurrence and secondary malignancies. Comprehensive diagnostic methods, including tumor marker analysis, immunohistochemistry, and tissue biopsy, are essential for accurate diagnosis. EBUS-TBNA is indispensable for accurate diagnosis, especially in differentiating metastatic recurrence from secondary malignancies, as it provides a minimally invasive method of tissue access for precise evaluation.

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