Family History of Breast or Prostate Cancer and Prostate Cancer Risk

Family history of prostate cancer and the incidence of ERG- and phosphatase and tensin homolog-defined prostate cancer

Family history is among the strongest known risk factors for prostate cancer (PCa). Emerging data suggest molecular subtypes of PCa, including two somatic genetic aberrations: fusions of androgen-regulated promoters with ERG and, separately, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss. We examined associations between family history and incidence of these subtypes in 44,126 men from the prospective Health Professionals Follow-up Study. ERG and PTEN status were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Multivariable competing risks models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between self-reported family history of PCa and molecular subtypes of disease. Thirteen percent of men had a positive family history of PCa at baseline. During a median follow-up of 18.5 years, 5,511 PCa cases were diagnosed. Among them, 888 were assayed for ERG status (47% ERG-positive) and 715 were assayed for PTEN loss (14% PTEN null). Family history was more strongly associated with risk of ERG-negative (HR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.71-2.70) than ERG-positive (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.13-1.95) disease (p_{heterogeneity} : 0.04). The strongest difference was among men with an affected father (HR_ERG-negative : 2.09; 95% CI: 1.64-2.66; HR_ERG-positive : 1.30; 95% CI: 0.96-1.76; p_{heterogeneity} : 0.01). Family history of PCa was positively associated with both PTEN null (HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.49) and PTEN intact (HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.39-2.13) PCa (p_{heterogeneity} : 0.47). Our results indicate that PCa family history may be positively associated with PCa in all ERG and PTEN subtypes, suggesting a role of genetic susceptibility in their development. It is possible that ERG-negative disease could be especially associated with positive family history.

First-degree family history of breast cancer is associated with prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The relationship between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk in the general population remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the association between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk.

Methods

Databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, were searched for all associated studies that evaluated associations between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk up to December 31, 2018. Information on study characteristics and outcomes were extracted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

Eighteen studies involving 17,004,892 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with no family history of female breast cancer, history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer [relative risk (RR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.25] with moderate-quality evidence. A history of breast cancer in mothers only (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10–1.28) and sisters only (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.43–2.04) was associated with increased prostate cancer risk with moderate-quality evidence. However, a family history of breast cancer in daughters only was not associated with prostate cancer incidence (RR 1.74, 95% CI 0.74–4.12) with moderate-quality evidence. A family history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives was associated with an 18% increased risk of lethal prostate cancer (95% CI 1.04–1.34) with low-quality evidence.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates that men with a family history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives had an increased risk of prostate cancer, including risk of lethal prostate cancer. These findings may guide screening, earlier detection, and treatment of men with a family history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives.

Metachronous or synchronous male breast and prostate cancers a duality to lookout for

Introduction: Breast cancer is well known as the stereotypical women's cancer, and prostate cancer represents the well-known stereotypical male counterpart. While prostate cancer carries the potential to metastasize to the breast, the synchronous or metachronous co-occurrence of primary breast and primary prostate cancers is quite unusual. Prostate cancer in men of African descent may have its own behaviour with regards to its relationship with male breast cancer.

Case presentation:

Case 1: A 64 year old male presented to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBAH) with a 2 years history of a painless left breast lump. A core biopsy was done and confirmed breast carcinoma. Tamoxifen was started but, due to disease progression, he underwent left modified radical mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. Prostate biopsy was done for raised Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and suspicious prostate on digital rectal examination. A prostatic adenocarcinoma was subsequently diagnosed with bone metastases on bone scan. He was started on Androgen deprivation therapy and followed up every 3 months.

Case 2: A 68 year old male presented to CHBAH with a 1 year history of a painless right breast lump. A core biopsy confirmed breast cancer. Tamoxifen was started, followed by right modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy for disease progression. A raised PSA and suspicious prostate on digital rectal examination prompted a prostate biopsy revealing a prostatic adenocarcinoma. Bone scan was negative for metastasis. He is currently on 3 monthly Androgen deprivation therapy and awaiting radiation.

Conclusion: This clinical practice article not only presents this exceptionally rare duality but highlights that both cancers can coexist either as sporadic conditions, or as a result of genetic mutations. Thus, we suggest that men with prostate cancer be screened clinically, biochemically and genetically for breast cancer and vice versa.

Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Relationship to Family History of Prostate Cancer; Findings From The PLCO Trial

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between family history of prostate cancer in a first-degree relative (FDR) and prostate cancer incidence and mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Deidentified data sets of men recruited in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovary (PLCO) trial were accessed. Men with complete information about family history of prostate cancer in an FDR were included. The effect of family history on prostate cancer incidence and mortality was assessed in a multivariate Cox regression model. Likewise, the effect of the number of FDRs with prostate cancer and the effect of youngest diagnosis age of an FDR with prostate cancer were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 74,781 participants were included in the current analysis, including 5281 participants with family history of prostate cancer in an FDR and 69,500 participants without family history of prostate cancer in an FDR. Among participants without family history of prostate cancer in an FDR, a total of 7450 patients (10.5%) were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer; whereas among patients with family history of prostate cancer in an FDR, a total of 889 patients (16.5%) were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer. In an adjusted multivariate Cox regression model, family history of prostate cancer was associated with a higher probability of prostate cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.590; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.482-1.705; P < .001). The number of FDRs with prostate cancer proportionally correlated with higher prostate cancer incidence (HR, 1.529; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.439-1.624; P < .001). Family history of prostate cancer in an FDR was not predictive of higher prostate cancer mortality in the PLCO screening (intervention) arm (HR, 0.829; 95% CI, 0.422-1.629; P = .587) whereas it was predictive of a higher prostate cancer mortality in the PLCO nonscreening (control) arm (HR, 1.894; 95% CI, 1.154-3.109; P = .012). Number of FDRs with prostate cancer was not associated with higher prostate cancer mortality in the PLCO screening (intervention) arm (HR, 0.956; 95% CI, 0.541-1.691; P = .878), whereas it was associated with higher prostate cancer mortality in the PLCO nonscreening (control) arm (HR, 1.643; 95% CI, 1.083-2.493; P = .020).

CONCLUSION

Family history of prostate cancer is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in the overall cohort of patients as well as a higher risk of prostate cancer mortality in the nonscreened subcohort. Further prospective assessment of the role of screening among selected high-risk populations (including those with strong family history) is warranted.

Metachronous or synchronous male breast and prostate cancers a duality to lookout for

Introduction: Breast cancer is well known as the stereotypical women's cancer, and prostate cancer represents the well-known stereotypical male counterpart. While prostate cancer carries the potential to metastasize to the breast, the synchronous or metachronous co-occurrence of primary breast and primary prostate cancers is quite unusual. Prostate cancer in men of African descent may have its own behaviour with regards to its relationship with male breast cancer. Case presentation: Case 1: A 64 year old male presented to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBAH) with a 2 years history of a painless left breast lump. A core biopsy was done and confirmed breast carcinoma. Tamoxifen was started but, due to disease progression, he underwent left modified radical mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. Prostate biopsy was done for raised Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and suspicious prostate on digital rectal examination. A prostatic adenocarcinoma was subsequently diagnosed with bone metastases on bone scan. He was started on Androgen deprivation therapy and followed up every 3 months. Case 2: A 68 year old male presented to CHBAH with a 1 year history of a painless right breast lump. A core biopsy confirmed breast cancer. Tamoxifen was started, followed by right modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy for disease progression. A raised PSA and suspicious prostate on digital rectal examination prompted a prostate biopsy revealing a prostatic adenocarcinoma. Bone scan was negative for metastasis. He is currently on 3 monthly Androgen deprivation therapy and awaiting radiation. Conclusion: This clinical practice article not only presents this exceptionally rare duality but highlights that both cancers can coexist either as sporadic conditions, or as a result of genetic mutations. Thus, we suggest that men with prostate cancer be screened clinically, biochemically and genetically for breast cancer and vice versa.