Virchow’s node as the initial presentation of metastatic prostate cancer: a case series of a common cancer in uncommon location

Abstract

Abstract Prostate cancer is one of the commonest cancers among men contributing significantly to the overall cancer burden globally. Most patients present with lower urinary tract symptoms. Metastasis to supraclavicular lymph nodes is unusual presentation, which has been rarely reported particularly as the primary presentation. We report two rare cases of advanced prostatic adenocarcinoma presenting with firm, non-tender lump in the left supraclavicular region between the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, (that is Virchow’s node) as initial primary symptom. Examination of the patients revealed an elevated prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) of > 100 ng/ml levels, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histological evaluation and immunostaining with PSA of the supraclavicular lymph nodes and prostate biopsies. This case series emphasizes the importance of considering prostate cancer in the differential diagnosis of male patients with supraclavicular lymphadenopathy.