New Strategies to Uncover Genes Involved in the Development of Prostate Cancer in Families with Multiple Cases

Prostate cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and is recognised as one of the major men's health challenges of the twenty-first century. There has been a steady increase in PC incidence, particularly for advanced-stage PC cases, which have increased by 5% since 2014. Despite advances in diagnostic and treatment techniques, understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying PC remains limited, especially in families with multiple cases of the disease, where genetic predispositions significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. This chapter provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of PC, covering key aspects such as its epidemiology, aetiology and associated risk factors. From the hereditary point of view, this chapter covers the main genes associated with the susceptibility to develop PC and related pathologies. Additionally, the chapter evaluates the current paradigm of detection and treatment protocols, while also exploring future research directions.