Prostatic metastases and polycythemia vera on bone magnetic resonance imaging: A case report

Localized prostate cancer and polycythemia vera (PV) are rare, and can be difficult to distinguish from bone marrow metastatic prostate cancer. The present study describes a case of prostate cancer occurring with PV. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffusely inhomogeneous bone marrow of the pelvis and a localized prostatic mass. The bone marrow biopsy indicated erythrocytosis and leukocytosis. The patient was treated with aspirin and twice-weekly phlebotomy procedures for two weeks, followed by a radical prostatectomy. Following the surgery, the patient was continually treated with interferon-α2b and aspirin, and demonstrated no abnormalities within the one-year follow-up period. The findings of the present study may aid in the future diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostate cancer and PV.