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Hereditary prostate cancer: clinical aspects
1Unit for Urology, Helsingborg Hospital, Sweden.
The Journal of Urology
|August 21, 2002
Summary
Hereditary prostate cancer significantly increases risk, especially for early-onset disease. Assessing family history is crucial for diagnosis and screening to reduce mortality.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Prostate cancer risk is influenced by family history, including the number of affected relatives and their age at diagnosis.
- A family history of prostate cancer enhances the predictive value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current epidemiological and genetic knowledge of hereditary prostate cancer.
- To outline the clinical implications of hereditary prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE to identify relevant published articles on hereditary prostate cancer.
Main Results:
- Hereditary factors contribute to 5-10% of all prostate cancer cases and 30-40% of early-onset cases.
- Hereditary prostate cancer is diagnosed 6-7 years earlier than sporadic forms, leading to higher mortality.
- Screening is the primary clinical strategy to reduce mortality in families with hereditary prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- Hereditary susceptibility is a major risk factor for prostate cancer with significant clinical implications.
- The genetic basis of hereditary prostate cancer is complex and not yet fully understood.