# 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

**Authors:** Naoaki Tsuji, Hirai Soichi, Kano Yukari, Tanimura Mai, Shiotsu Shinsuke

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.79446 · 2025-02-22

## 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.

## Key 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.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** renal cell carcinoma (MONDO:0005086), prostate cancer (MONDO:0005159)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** KLK3 (kallikrein related peptidase 3) [NCBI Gene 354] {aka APS, KLK2A1, PSA, hK3}
- **Diseases:** Prostate Cancer (MESH:D011471), secondary malignancies (MESH:D009369), metastatic recurrence (MESH:D000092182), RCC (MESH:D002292), Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008477), metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma (MESH:D000230)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11846050/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11846050