A rare presentation of metastatic prostate cancer, initially a suspect for urothelial cell carcinoma of the ureter: a case report

BACKGROUND: The most common metastatic sites of prostate cancer are the lymph nodes and bone. Ureteral metastasis from prostate cancer is very unusual and only a few cases have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 76-year-old male with ureteral metastasis of prostate cancer along with a review of the literature. Initially, based on the diagnostic evaluation, urothelial cell carcinoma of the left distal ureter was suspected. Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed. The final pathologic diagnosis was prostate cancer metastatic to the ureter. CONCLUSION: Although rare and the mechanistic link between prostate cancer and distant ureteral metastasis has not been clarified on a clinical basis, this would be included in the differential diagnosis of ureteral lesions in patients with a history of prostate cancer. It is important to recognize this unusual manifestation so that timely appropriate treatment can be initiated.