Cadmium exposure and the risk of prostate cancer among Nigerian men: Effect modification by zinc status.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) may result from an interplay between many factors including exposure to trace elements. This study examined the association between cadmium exposure and PCa among Nigerian men and evaluated possible modification of this effect by zinc status. METHODS: This case-control study involved men with histologically confirmed PCa (n = 82), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n = 93) and controls (n = 98), aged between 40 and 80 years. Study participants were recruited from the main teaching hospital that draws clients from the entire Anambra State in South-Eastern Nigeria. Blood and urine samples were collected from these participants and were analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS. Statistical models were used to assess the exposure risk for cadmium exposure as well as the mediating effect of zinc status. RESULTS: Among men with prostatic disorders (case-case analysis), every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa (adjusted odds ratios: 2.526; 95% CI: 1.096-5.821). Men in the highest blood zinc quartile had lower odds of PCa compared to the lowest quartile (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.54; p-for trend = 0.001). Zinc-specific effect was observed in this group: every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa among men with creatinine-adjusted urinary zinc levels below the median value (AOR: 8.46; 95% CI: 1.97 -36.39) but not in those above the median value (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.45 - 5.39). CONCLUSION: Higher exposure to cadmium may be associated with increased risk of PCa in Nigeria and probably other countries with high prevalence of Zn deficiency. These results point to the need to consider co-occurring trace metals in any effort to mitigate the toxicity of Cd in the environment.

Correlation between Body Mass Index and Gleason Score in Men with Prostate Cancer in Southeastern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer has an increasing global burden. The clinical course varies from an indolent disease to a rapidly aggressive cancer. It is associated with higher mortality in less developed nations due to late presentation. The Gleason scoring system for prostatic adenocarcinoma has prognostic implications in diagnosed cases. Obesity has been associated with the evolution of many cancers including prostate cancer. There are conflicting reports on the relationship between obesity, as measured by body mass index (BMI), and prostate cancer aggressiveness, as measured by Gleason score. This study is aimed to determine if a correlation exists between BMI and Gleason score in men with prostate cancer. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study involving consecutive patients with prostate cancer. Clinical evaluation including anthropometry, digital rectal examination, and relevant investigations were done for each patient and data collected with pro forma. This was followed by prostate needle biopsy and those diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate had their Gleason grades and scores obtained. Data were analyzed statistically using Spearman Correlation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.54 ± 8.61 years (range 47-83 years). The BMI ranged from 16.98 to 36.45 kg/m2, with a mean of 27.03 ± 5.03 kg/m2. Twenty-six of the patients (36.1%) were overweight and 34.7% were obese. The mean total prostate-specific antigen was 118.65 ± 84.43 ng/ml, with a range of 31-406 ng/ml. The modal Gleason score was 9 with a range of 4-10. There was a strong positive correlation between BMI and Gleason score (r = 0.817, P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: The BMI of patients with prostate cancer correlated positively with their Gleason score.

Assessment of Complications of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Using Clavien-Dindo Classification in South Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases in aging males. For men that need surgical treatment, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard. The aim of this article is to retrospectively review the complications of TURP over a 3-year period in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi and a Specialist Urology Center in Awka all in Anambra South-East Nigeria using Clavien-Dindo classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of consecutive TURPs done over a 3-year period. Patients' information and complications arising from the procedure were collected and graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification with a pro forma designed for the study and analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 20.0. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients had TURP during the period of this study. Twenty-nine complications were noted in 24 patients. The postoperative morbidity rate was 24.74%, and no mortality was recorded. Most of the complications were grade 2 (55%), followed by grade 1 and 3 (20.69%) each. Grade 4a complication accounted for only 3.45%. No grade 5 complication was recorded. CONCLUSION: TURP is safe, with minimal life-threatening morbidity even in a resource-poor economy where TURP is gradually gaining grounds.