Serum Calcium Level at Diagnosis Can Predict Lethal Prostate Cancer Relapse.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Prostate cancer prognosis relies on established factors like T stage, N stage, histology, grade group, and initial PSA.
• Emerging research suggests a link between high-normal blood calcium levels and increased risk of fatal prostate cancer.
• Limited data exists on the prognostic significance of calcium levels at diagnosis for prostate cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic value of upper-normal range calcium levels in curatively treated prostate cancer patients.
• To determine if calcium levels can predict disease-free survival in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 84 prostate cancer patients undergoing curative-intent radiotherapy (external beam +/- brachytherapy).
• Evaluation of prognostic factors impacting disease-free survival.
• Analysis included calcium levels and initial PSA levels.

Main Results:

• Calcium levels at diagnosis were found to be a significant predictor of disease-free survival.
• Initial PSA levels did not demonstrate prognostic significance, potentially due to benign prostatic hyperplasia interference.
• High-normal calcium levels may indicate a poorer prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Calcium levels at diagnosis may possess prognostic value in curatively treated prostate cancer.
• Findings suggest calcium could be integrated into future prostate cancer predictive and prognostic models.
• Further validation studies are recommended to confirm these results.