Unsuspected Prostate Carcinoma and Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasm in Taiwanese Patients Undergoing...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Prostate cancer (CaP) incidence and mortality rates in Taiwan are increasing.
• Low autopsy rates limit the study of latent CaP in Taiwan.
• Cystoprostatectomy specimens offer a unique opportunity to investigate CaP prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence and pathological status of latent CaP in Taiwanese men.
• To evaluate the frequency of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in these specimens.
• To compare CaP incidence in Taiwan with international data.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 49 prostate specimens from cystoprostatectomy (1992-1997).
• Whole-mount transverse serial sections examined for adenocarcinoma and high-grade PIN.
• Pathological evaluation by two pathologists.

Main Results:

• 16% of patients (33%) had unsuspected adenocarcinoma.
• 24% of patients (49%) had high-grade PIN.
• Incidence of unsuspected CaP and high-grade PIN increased with age.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of unsuspected CaP in Taiwanese men is comparable to U.S. men.
• High-grade PIN is significantly more frequent in patients with unsuspected CaP.
• CaP induction in Taiwan may share similarities with U.S. men, with potential underreporting or different progression rates contributing to lower reported incidence.