Study findings from Cleveland Clinic broaden understanding of prostate cancer risk factors

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February 23rd, 2009

   2009 FEB 23 -- Data detailed in 'Incidence of prostate cancer in male breast cancer patients: a risk factor for prostate cancer screening' have been presented. "Synchronous or metachronous occurrences of both prostate cancer and male breast cancer are rarely reported, but provide insight into their hormonal and genetic biology. We sought to determine the incidence of prostate cancer in male breast cancer patients at our institution, and to examine estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER-2/neu receptor (HR) status in these patients," scientists in the United States report.

   "A retrospective review was conducted of male breast cancer patients from 1990 to 2006. Histopathologic characteristics and hormone receptor expression was obtained. In 69 patients with male breast cancer, 12 (17%) also had a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Nine had ER-positive status and three were unreported. PR status was positive in 5, whereas 3 had PR-negative status. HR status was positive in 1, whereas 5 had HR-negative status," wrote U.J. Lee and colleagues, Cleveland Clinic.

   The researchers concluded: "Male breast cancer patients in this cohort have an incidence of prostate cancer higher than would be predicted in the general population; this risk factor has implications for careful prostate cancer screening."

   Lee and colleagues published their study in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (Incidence of prostate cancer in male breast cancer patients: a risk factor for prostate cancer screening. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 2009;12(1):52-6).

   For more information, contact U.J. Lee, Cleveland Clinic, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland OH 44195 USA..

   Publisher contact information for the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases is: Nature Publishing Group, 345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA.

   Keywords: United States, Prostate Cancer Risk Factors, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Drugs, Genetics, Oncology, Pharmaceuticals, Progesterone, Prostate Cancer, Prostatic Disease, Prostatic Neoplasms, Therapy, Treatment, Women's Health.

   This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.

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