[Prostatic cancer before the age of 50--report of 7 cases]

Based on a retrospective series of 7 cases, the authors study the particular features of prostatic cancer before the age of 50 years. These 7 patients all had an advanced tumour with, in 4 cases, documented metastases. A single patient had a well differentiated tumour, while the others had a moderately or poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumour. All patients died rapidly, except one who is currently receiving treatment with an LHRH agonist, with a follow-up of 25 months. On the basis of this study, the authors distinguish between prostatic cancers clinically detectable before the age of 50 years, and those which remain occult, leading to a histological discussion between a benign disease and true early cancer. In the light of these findings, systematic screening for prostatic cancer before the age of 50 years does not appear to be justified.