Idiopathic thromboembolism as the presenting sign of occult prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Idiopathic thromboembolism has been associated with occult neoplasia; however, very limited information exists regarding a man's risk of occult prostate cancer after an idiopathic thromboembolic event.


METHODS
We performed a case-control study of 209 consecutive men diagnosed with prostate cancer over a 3-year period, with 350 men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) serving as control subjects.


RESULTS
Men with idiopathic thromboembolism had a fivefold increased risk of prostate cancer compared with the BPH control group (risk ratio = 5.0, P = 0.002). The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival was not adversely affected after an idiopathic thromboembolic event.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that men with idiopathic thromboembolism are at an increased risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer. In men with idiopathic thromboembolism, attempts to diagnose prostate cancer, including digital rectal examination and serum PSA, warrant consideration.
Oefelein
M G
MG
Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45414, USA.
Brant
M
M
Crotty
K
K
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology; D012007:Rectum; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen