Clinicopathological characteristics and primary treatment of prostate cancer in a urology unit of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lankans appear to be having a low incidence of prostate cancer, but a larger proportion of high-grade cancers in comparison to the UK and USA. Although genetic differences may exist, a dietary or an environmental factor is more likely to be the cause for these changes. The protective effect of this factor appears to wane as South Asians emigrate and live in UK and USA.

Clinicopathological profile of malignancies treated in a urology unit over a period of five years

“…Surgical orchidectomy is the mostly used (94.3%) form of androgen deprivation therapy which could be considered an attractive option in developing countries with large rural communities [8]. Most patients with organ confined disease in our study preferred radical radiotherapy over radical prostatectomy.…”

“…Whether this is due to the late presentation or due to an unknown risk factor is debatable [8]. Only 17.6% were Gleason 6 cancers.…”

Management of metastatic prostate cancer: recent advances, clinical perspectives and future prospects

“…Nearly two-thirds of all patients with prostate cancer in Sri Lanka present with systemic metastases (1). Since the seminal discovery of its effect by Huggins and Hodges in 1941, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has remained the bedrock in the management of metastatic prostate cancer (2).…”

Prostate cancer in Asia: A collaborative report – The situation in Sri Lanka

“…Linear accelerators and tomotherapy machines are available in few selected centres of the country. Over 90% of patients requiring androgen deprivation therapy undergo surgical orchiectomy [3] . Although available, LHRH agonists are used sparingly due to the high cost.…”