High levels of serum prostate-specific antigen due to PSA producing follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Oosterheert JJ, Budel LM, Vos P, Wittebol S.
Department of Internal Medicine, Meander Medical Centre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. j.j.oosterheert@umcutrecht.nl
OBJECTIVE: Both carcinoma of the prostate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are common in elderly patients. Measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a frequently used tool to diagnose and monitor prostate carcinoma and is generally specific for diseases of the prostate. CASE: We describe a 68-yr-old patient with voiding difficulties and high PSA levels, but without inflammatory or malignant changes upon multiple transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies. Digital rectal examination was normal. Laboratory showed a strongly elevated PSA level (62 microg/L, Immulight 2000); DPC, USA). A CT-scan showed a retroperitoneal process with mass in the right pelvis and infiltration of the bladder wall, suggestive for metastatic prostate carcinoma. Surgical excision of an axillary lymph node set the diagnosis at a stage IV follicular lymphoma, Berard grade I to II in which the majority of neoplastic cells expressed PSA. After lymphoma-specific treatment, there was a positron emission tomography (PET) confirmed complete remission with normal PSA levels (6 microg/L), which still persists. CONCLUSION: Although rare, high PSA levels can be due to the presence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Such a diagnosis should be considered when patients present with lymphadenopathy other than regional prostatic lymphadenopathy.
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PMID: 17635240 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]