Profil clinique du cancer de la prostate au Senegal

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To describe the clinical features of prostate cancer in Senegal. Materials and Methods: We underwent a descriptive and retrospective study including 121 patients managed for prostate cancer in two hospitals of Dakar between 1997 and 2002. The histological diagnosis was assessed on prostate biopsy or after transurethral resection of the prostate or prostatectomy. We studied the age of the patients; the PSA level; the stage of the tumor using the TNM staging of 1997; and the circumstances of diagnosis. Results: The mean age was 69 years (52-88); the mean PSA was 72;2 ng /ml (6-578;9). The localized tumors that represented 43;8of the cases were mainly T2 (42;1); while the advanced (T3-T4) tumors represented 41;3of the cases. Metastases were found in 15of cases; and in 78of the cases the metastases could not be assessed. The circumstances of diagnosis were dominated by prostate or cancer-related symptoms which represented 49;6of the cases. The association between symptoms and high PSA was present in 16;5of cases. Conclusion: This study shows an elevated age of our patients correlated with a high PSA level; an advanced tumor stage; an important rate of metastases and the presence of symptoms. Screening is needed for a better management of prostate cancer in Senegal