Genetic instability in incidentally discovered and advanced prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency of microsatellite instability, a marker for genetic instability, in incidental and advanced prostate cancers, and to determine the role and prognostic importance of genetic instability in prostate carcinogenesis.


METHODS
Microsatellite analysis was performed on 72 prostate cancers, of which 26 were incidentally discovered at transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) for benign disease. They were staged and graded 1-3 according to glandular differentiation. Fresh prostatic tissue was obtained at TURP performed for bladder outlet obstruction, from 43 patients (median age 73 years, range 55-88), with tissue from the remaining 29 (median age 75, range 53-83) patients obtained from pathology archives, having been originally collected at TURP between 1969 and 1986.


RESULTS
Instability was detected in 14 (19%) cancers overall, in eight (31%) of 26 incidental tumours and in six (13%) of 46 clinically apparent tumours. These differences were not statistically different (2P=0.1). The time to progression and survival were similar between men with tumours showing instability and those with no instability.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that genetic instability is an early event in prostate carcinogenesis, but does not appear to influence prognosis.
Crundwell
M C
MC
University Hospital Birmingham, and Department of Urology, City Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Morton
D G
DG
Arkell
D G
DG
Phillips
S M
SM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D005819:Genetic Markers