Early detection of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Prostate cells contain vitamin D receptors as well as enzymes necessary for vitamin D metabolism. Vitamin D metabolites have an antiproliferative and a pro-differentiating effect on prostate cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. As a result, there has been an emerging interest in the potential role of vitamin D in the etiology of prostate cancer. This review summarizes all available epidemiological literature on the association between dietary vitamin D, circulating levels of vitamin D and sunlight exposure in relation to prostate cancer risk. To place these studies in context, we also provide some background information on vitamin D, such as its dietary sources, metabolism, optimal levels, hypovitaminosis and relationship with the prostate.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D and prostate cancer risk: a review of the epidemiological literature

Gupta

Lammersfeld

Trukova

et al. 2009

“…8`C linically important' carcinomas are larger, or of higher grade, or more extensive, and are much more likely to invade and metastasise, leading to the eventual death of the patient. 9 The risk to life and health posed by early stage carcinoma has been dif®cult to assess, mainly due to the relatively slow growth rate and long doubling times of such carcinomas, averaging 2 ± 4 y. 10 Prostate cancer is often detected in elderly men (median age, 71 y) whose high rate of comorbid conditions means that they can die before the disease manifests itself.…”

Section: Epidemiology and Natural History Of Prostate Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular and cellular biology of prostate cancer—the role of apoptosis as a target for therapy

Costa-Pereira

Cotter

1999

Despite the high incidence and mortality rate of prostate cancer, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of the disease remain to be fully elucidated. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on prostatic carcinogenesis, focusing not only on the molecular genetics of prostate cancer, but also on the role of oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, and growth factors. The remarkable ability of prostate cancer cells to survive androgen withdrawal and apoptosis are discussed, with particular emphasis on how apoptosis may be manipulated from a therapeutic viewpoint.

“…A 50-y-old man with a 25 y life expectancy has a 42% risk of having microscopic CaP, a 9.5% risk of clinically evident CaP, and a 3% risk of dying from CaP. 2 Once suspicion arises for the presence of CaP, it is necessary to obtain a tissue diagnosis. Dilemmas arise for those who have undergone biopsy for this suspicion, but have no evidence of cancer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining variables for repeat prostate biopsy

Busby

Evans

2004

During the evaluation of prostate cancer, men who have undergone transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy with negative results present a dilemma as to what further follow-up is required. Multiple variables have been proposed throughout the literature to improve cancer detection rates not only in initial biopsy results, but also on repeat evaluation. These variables include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity, PSA density, free-percent PSA, and histological findings, each of which may singly or collectively dictate the need for further biopsy. After performing a Medline literature search using specific Medical Subject Headings (prostate biopsy, repeat prostate biopsy, PSA velocity, PSA density, free-percent PSA, prostate inflammation), we critically evaluated pertinent articles. Using this accumulated data and information, we composed an algorithm to assist in the decision process for repeat biopsy.