Epidemiological features of prostate cancer in the Republic of Guinea

To define the epidemiological features of prostate cancer in the Republic of Guinea. This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Urology and Andrology of Conakry University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2006. The parameters studied were the incidence of prostate cancer, the patients' age at the time of diagnosis, as well as the patients' geographical origin, social level, profession, marital status and urological history. Data are presented as mean values, range and percentage. In total, 3895 men were hospitalized at our Department of Urology during the study period. Of these, 5% were treated for prostate cancer. We noted a marked yearly increase of the number of cases with a mean incidence of 29 cases per year. Our patients' mean age was 70.3 [range 52 - 91] years. The majority of our patients originated from the coastal region [46%, n = 93], while only few came from Upper Guinea and the forest areas. Farmers formed the largest socio-professional group in our study, namely 51.2% [n = 104]. The majority of our patients were polygamous [70.4%]. Ninety-four patients reported a history of purulent urethritis. Although several possible risk factors, such as age, exposure to carcinogenic products at work, and sexual predisposing factors [especially sexually transmitted infections [STI]] have been suggested in this study, none of them has been proven to be responsible for the development of prostate cancer. Therefore, studies on large patient groups will be necessary to confirm these theories

[Clinical features of cancer of the prostate in Guinea. Results of a study covering the period between 2000 and 2006]

To describe the clinical features of prostate cancer in a Guinean population. This retrospective study was carried out at the Department of Urology and Andrology of the Ignace Deen University Hospital, Conakry, between January 2000 and December 2006. In total, 203 patients were included in the study. The following parameters were evaluated: the patients' age at diagnosis, the reasons for consultation, the findings on digital rectal examination [DRE], total PSA value, prostate volume on ultrasound, tumor stage according to the 2002 TNM classification and Gleason score. The statistical evaluation aimed at finding significant relationships among the collected parameters. The mean patient age was 70,3 years [range: 52 -91 years]. The presenting symptoms consisted of irritative and obstructive urinary symptoms in 96.3% of the cases. DRE suggested malignancy of the prostate in 600% of the patients. The mean PSA value was 120.8 ng/m1 [range:0.1 - 6354 ng/ml]. The mean prostate volume on ultrasound was 77.2 cc. Localized tumors [T1 andT2] were found in21.2% of the patients, with a preponderance of T2 tumors [18.2%], and well differentiated tumors in 44.8% of the patients. The knowledge of these clinical features allows better understanding of the necessity for early diagnosis of prostate cancer in Guinea. Men should be evaluated starting from the age of 50 in order to reduce mortality