Hereditary Predisposition and Prostate Cancer

Abstract

A genetic component in prostate cancer (PCa) has been recognized for decades, and much evidence has been accumulated in favor of a significant, but heterogeneous hereditary component in PCa.

Purpose

We studied the incidence of the familial and hereditary forms of PCa in our population of patients with a diagnosis of PCa clinically localized and age at diagnosis <65 yrs. Materials and methods: We administered a questionnaire to 667 patients submitted to radical prostatectomy from July 1978 to December 2002, obtaining a complete familial oncological anamnesis in 499 patients. The patients were followed-up until death or until 30 June 2004. Patients were classified into three categories according to Carter: familial, hereditary and sporadic PCa.

Results

A positive family history for PCa was found in 72 patients (14.4%). In 15 patients (3%), we observed a hereditary form of PCa and in 57 patients (11.4%) a familial form. Patients with hereditary PCa had a lower age at diagnosis (55 yrs). Genealogical pedigrees ruled out mendelian dominant autosomical transmission. No difference was found in the preoperatory, clinical and pathological features among the three PCa groups. A statistically significant familial association was found between PCa and cancer of breast and uterus.

Conclusions

This study supports evidence of a hereditary predisposition to PCa and the suggestion that an excess familial risk of PCa is due to the inheritance of multiple moderate-risk genetic variants.