A Case of Metastatic Prostate Cancer and Immune Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Prostate cancer frequently metastasizes to bone, but bone marrow involvement is relatively less common. In advanced prostate cancer, significant bone marrow infiltration can result in hematologic abnormalities such as anemia and thrombocytopenia. We report the case of a patient who presented with a new diagnosis of thrombocytopenia at the same time that he presented with prostate cancer metastatic to bone. He was found to have immune thrombocytopenia (itp) which responded to treatment with steroids. We discuss this case and review the literature on itp in the setting of advanced malignancy.

Medullary Aplasia Revealing a Metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

“…In the literature, we find that thrombocytopenia and/or anemia are the most common consequences of bone marrow failure due to prostate cancer metastasis. Patients in this condition are reported to have poor prognosis [ 5 , 8 ].…”

“…However, metastatic invasion of the bone marrow remains exceptional in prostate adenocarcinoma [ 5 ]. This condition can lead to bone marrow failure involving one or more cell lines, which can cause pancytopenia when all the lines are affected.…”

“…This condition can lead to bone marrow failure involving one or more cell lines, which can cause pancytopenia when all the lines are affected. This condition can lead to serious complications and is linked to a poor prognosis [ 5 ]. Infiltration of the bone marrow by metastatic tumor cells can lead to bone marrow failure, resulting in hematologic abnormalities.…”

“…When cancer cells invade healthy bone marrow, they replace hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in the depletion of several cell lines. Nieder et al describe a typical pattern of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and increased mortality [ 5 ].…”

“…Although rare, cases of metastatic bone marrow invasion of prostatic adenocarcinoma often present with thrombocytopenia, whether or not associated with anemia [ 5 ].…”