ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To detect prostate cancer in young black men and compare our results with those of western studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective multicenter study from February 2008 to May 2009 on 220 men aged 40 to 49 years. All patients with an abnormal prostate suspicious of cancer and/or a PSA greater than 2.5 ng/ml had a prostate biopsy. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 44.99 years. The mean PSA was 26.62 ng/ml and ranged from 0.3 to 5600 ng/ml, with a median PSA of 0.88 ng/ml. Eleven patients had a PSA greater than 2.5 ng/ml and three had abnormal prostates suspicious of cancer. Twelve patients had a prostate biopsy. Histologic studies of the specimens found one case of prostate adenocarcinoma (Gleason 4+4) and two cases of high grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), all within the 46 to 50 years age group. CONCLUSION: Due to the absence of prostate cancer within the 40 to 45 years age group, we would not recommend the screening of prostate cancer within this age group. This is only a preliminary study, and should be completed with the search for familial forms of prostate cancer. Also, a regular follow-up of patients already presenting with PSA greater than 2.5 ng/ml or HGPIN should be considered.
