Atypical Presentation of Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma in the Presacral Space: A Case Report of Diagnostic Resection via the Kraske Approach

Prostate adenocarcinoma most commonly metastasizes to bone and lymph nodes; isolated soft-tissue presacral metastasis without a known primary is exceedingly rare and poorly characterized. We report a 69-year-old man presenting with hematuria and an incidental 4-cm presacral mass. MRI demonstrated a solid, heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the right mesorectal compartment without intraluminal involvement, most consistent with a primary neurogenic tumor. Serum PSA was not obtained preoperatively, as symptoms were attributed to chronic suprapubic catheter irritation and imaging did not suggest a prostatic origin. Preoperative biopsy was not pursued given the lesion's deep posterior location at the S4 level-proximity to sacral nerve roots precluded safe percutaneous access, and transrectal biopsy is contraindicated. The mass was resected via a posterior transsacral (Kraske) approach for presumed primary presacral neoplasm. Histopathology revealed metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma with positive PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase immunostaining, identifying an occult primary tumor. This case illustrates an atypical diagnostic scenario in which resection was undertaken for a presumed primary lesion; the metastatic diagnosis was an unexpected pathologic finding that would have substantially altered management had it been established preoperatively. This case underscores the importance of including serum PSA in the standard workup of solid presacral masses in older male patients and demonstrates that the Kraske approach can provide adequate exposure for selected posteriorly situated extrarectal masses when diagnosis remains uncertain and resection is clinically indicated.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
The American Surgeon
Published
2026-06-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348261465399
Primary Topic
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Atypical Presentation of Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma in the Presacral Space: A Case Report of Diagnostic Resection via the Kraske Approach

Alex Tran, Sowsan Rasheid
The American Surgeon
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
article

Atypical Presentation of Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma in the Presacral Space: A Case Report of Diagnostic Resection via the Kraske Approach

Alex Tran, Sowsan Rasheid
article en

Abstract

Prostate adenocarcinoma most commonly metastasizes to bone and lymph nodes; isolated soft-tissue presacral metastasis without a known primary is exceedingly rare and poorly characterized. We report a 69-year-old man presenting with hematuria and an incidental 4-cm presacral mass. MRI demonstrated a solid, heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the right mesorectal compartment without intraluminal involvement, most consistent with a primary neurogenic tumor. Serum PSA was not obtained preoperatively, as symptoms were attributed to chronic suprapubic catheter irritation and imaging did not suggest a prostatic origin. Preoperative biopsy was not pursued given the lesion's deep posterior location at the S4 level-proximity to sacral nerve roots precluded safe percutaneous access, and transrectal biopsy is contraindicated. The mass was resected via a posterior transsacral (Kraske) approach for presumed primary presacral neoplasm. Histopathology revealed metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma with positive PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase immunostaining, identifying an occult primary tumor. This case illustrates an atypical diagnostic scenario in which resection was undertaken for a presumed primary lesion; the metastatic diagnosis was an unexpected pathologic finding that would have substantially altered management had it been established preoperatively. This case underscores the importance of including serum PSA in the standard workup of solid presacral masses in older male patients and demonstrates that the Kraske approach can provide adequate exposure for selected posteriorly situated extrarectal masses when diagnosis remains uncertain and resection is clinically indicated.

The American Surgeon
Regional Health (US), Lakeland Regional Medical Center (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Atypical Presentation of Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma in the Presacral Space: A Case Report of Diagnostic Resection via the Kraske Approach — Alex Tran, Sowsan Rasheid · The American Surgeon (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS