Alternative Names
Cancer of the prostate
Symptoms & Characteristics
The prostate produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms for many years. Common symptoms can include:
- problems passing urine (i.e. dribbling, starting, or stopping)
- needing to urinate often, especially at night
- pain with ejaculation or urination
- difficulty having an erection
- pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Levels of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA) are often high in men with prostate cancer, but can also be high with other prostate conditions. PSA levels are used to help with early detection of prostate cancer.
Treatment
Prostate cancer treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, cryosurgery, high intensity focused ultrasound or robotic-assisted surgery and depends on the stage of cancer.
How Common Is It?
About two million males in the United States have or have had prostate cancer.
Genetics & Inheritance
Most cases of prostate cancer are not inherited and occur sporadically. Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.
Researchers believe that there are probably a number of genes that affect the development and symptoms of prostate cancer. A small percent of cases are due to a hereditary cancer syndrome.
- A hereditary cancer syndrome is caused by an inherited gene mutation that increases the chance to develop one or more types of cancer. Families are more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome if there are multiple generations of affected family members with the same cancer (or associated cancers). People who are diagnosed at an unusually young age or have certain rare cancers are also more likely to have a hereditary cancer syndrome. Several different hereditary cancer syndromes have been identified. Click here for more information about Cancer Genetics.
Some of the more common hereditary cancer syndromes that are associated with prostate cancer include:
- Hereditary Prostate Cancer (HPC1): HPC1 is caused by mutations in a gene located on chromosome 1 at the location q24-q25 and is responsible for some cases of prostate cancer; especially in families with multiple affected family members with early-onset prostate cancer.
- Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer: Males who have cancer-predisposing mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at increased risk to develop prostate cancer as well as other types of cancer.
- Lynch syndrome: Males who have cancer-predisposing mutations that cause Lynch syndrome may also have an increased risk to develop prostate cancer as well as other types of cancer.
- Other predisposition genes: Other genes have been associated with hereditary prostate cancer, such as two genes on the X chromosome called HPCX1 and HPCX2; as well as a prostate cancer/brain cancer susceptibility gene called CAPB. To date, over 10 genes have been associated with hereditary prostate cancer.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are small variations in a single "letter" of DNA that can be found throughout our entire genetic make-up. Some researchers have proposed that certain SNPs may cause susceptibility to prostate cancer in some people.
- However, very little is known about these SNPs and how they influence cancer risk at this time. Research is currently often limited to specific ethnic groups. Further research is needed to replicate study findings across different ethnic groups and clearly establish associations.
Other yet to be identified or adequately classified genes may also contribute to prostate cancer.
A cancer genetic consultation with a trained genetic professional is important for a complete evaluation, accurate diagnosis, as well as discussion of the benefits and limitations of testing and recurrence risk.
Genetic Testing
Cancer predisposition testing for some hereditary cancer syndromes associated with prostate cancer may be available through an in person cancer genetic consultation for people who are considered at risk.
Informational genetic testing for prostate cancer susceptibility is available online (over the internet). Go to the Tests tab to link to the best online providers, compare providers and read provider reviews.
- Some providers offer whole genome scanning, which may include testing for some of the SNPs that have been proposed to influence susceptibility to prostate cancer. Whole genome scanning involves analyzing thousands of SNPs at once related to a number of different health conditions.
- At this point, many genetic professionals do not consider this testing clinically useful or medically relevant, but for informational purposes only.
The decision to have genetic testing is personal and should always be discussed with trained medical professional. Use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained genetic professional in your area.
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