Incidence of urogenital cancers in Gunma Prefecture, Japan: a 10-year summary

The incidence and prevalence of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare urological cancer that is still an important public health concern in many areas around the world. Although UTUC has been linked to a number of risk factors, to our knowledge no systematic review has been published on the overall incidence and prevalence of de-novo UTUC. This review aimed to examine the global epidemiology of UTUC to provide clinicians and public health specialists a better understanding of UTUC.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, and the Web of Science using a detailed search strategy. Observational epidemiological studies describing the incidence and prevalence of de-novo UTUC in adults were included, and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used for critical appraisal and data extraction of the studies selected.

RESULTS

The systematic search identified 3506 papers, of which 59 papers were included for qualitative synthesis. The studies selected included data ranging from the years 1943 to 2018. A comprehensive qualitative synthesis of the data was performed. UTUC incidence generally varied according to age (higher with increasing age), sex (unclear), race (unclear), calendar time (increased, stable, or decreased according to region), geographical region (higher in Asian countries), occupation (higher in seamen and printers), and other population characteristics. Prevalence was only reported by one study, which showed UTUC to have the highest incidence of the rare urogenital cancers in Europe.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review highlights an increased incidence of UTUC in certain groups, including increasing age and certain occupations such as seamen. The incidence of UTUC also varies between certain geographical regions. The trend of UTUC incidence for sex, race, and calendar time is less clear due to a wide variety of metrics used by the studies identified. More studies are also required on the prevalence of UTUC to understand its disease burden. Trial registration This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42019134255).

Androgen receptor coactivator p120 subtype β is highly expressed in prostate cancer

Purpose:

The β form of p120 is reported to be a strong coactivator of the androgen receptor. We investigated the gene expression profiles of the α and β forms of p120 in prostate cancer cell lines, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), nontreated prostate cancer (NTPC), and prostate cancer after androgen deprivation therapy (PCA-ADT).

Methods:

We obtained 154 prostate needle biopsy specimens (81 in BPH, 51 in NTPC, and 22 in PCA-ADT). Levels of p120α and β expression were determined by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

Prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP, PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP-LA, which is a derivative of LNCaP under androgen deprivation, expressed both p120α and p120β. p120α expression levels were significantly higher than those of p120β in all cell lines examined. In human prostate tissues, p120α expression was significantly higher than that of p120β in BPH and NTPC. p120α expression in BPH was significantly higher than in other groups. In contrast, p120β expression was significantly higher in NTPC and PCA-ADT than in BPH. Expression of the two forms of p120 was not correlated with age, prostate-specific antigen, or Gleason score.

Conclusions:

The expression profiles of p120α and p120β significantly differ in cancerous and benign prostatic tissues.

Outcome of different post-orchiectomy management for stage I seminoma: Japanese multi-institutional study including 425 patients

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the contemporary clinical outcome of stage I seminoma and to provide information on treatment options to patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 425 patients who underwent orchiectomy for stage I seminoma between 1985 and 2006 at 25 hospitals in Japan. Relapse-free survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and clinicopathological factors associated with relapse were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

A total of 30 out of 425 patients had relapsed. Relapse-free survival rates at 10 years were 79, 94 and 94% in the surveillance, chemotherapy and radiotherapy groups, respectively. Post-orchiectomy management and rete testis invasion were identified as independent predictive factors associated with relapse. Rete testis invasion remained to be an independent predictive factor, even if the cases with relapses in the contralateral testis were censored. Only one patient, who relapsed after adjuvant radiotherapy, died of the disease. Overall survival at 10 years was 100, 100 and 99% in the surveillance, chemotherapy and radiotherapy groups, respectively. More than half of the patients were lost to follow up within 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of Japanese patients with stage I seminoma is similar to previously published Western reports. Surveillance policy is becoming a popular option in Japan, although the relapse rate in patients opting for surveillance policy is higher than those opting for adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Rete testis invasion is an independent predictive factor associated with relapse regardless of the post-orchiectomy management. Long-term follow up is mandatory for detection of late relapse.

Association of SNP rs1447295 and microsatellite marker DG8S737 with familial prostate cancer and high grade disease

PURPOSE

Several prior studies show a relationship between genetic markers at chromosome 8q24 and an increased prostate cancer risk. We confirmed the association of 8q24 markers with prostate cancer in the Japanese population and the association of these genetic variants with clinical characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Included in this study were 134 patients with familial prostate cancer, 158 with sporadic prostate cancer and 119 controls. All were Japanese. We genotyped the 2, 8q24 markers SNP rs1447295 and microsatellite marker DG8S737 using real-time polymerase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction based assay with fluorescence labeled primers.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive association between the DG8S737 -12 allele and familial prostate cancer risk (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.11-3.00, p = 0.02) and a significant association of risk with the rs1447295 A allele (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.41-3.94, p = 0.002). Significant associations were noted for each marker in men with a high Gleason score.

CONCLUSIONS

Two alleles at 8q24 are genetic risk factors for familial prostate cancer and high grade disease.

Incidental testicular cancers that subsequently developed in oligozoospermic and azoospermic patients: report of three cases

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether infertile men with poor semen count subsequently developed testicular cancers and to describe their clinical presentation.

DESIGN

We reviewed 460 male patients with abnormal semen counts between 1989 and 2004.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Infertile men who developed testicular cancers after assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

INTERVENTION(S)

Description of patient characteristics: age at infertility, presentation, semen quality, and ART.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The number of patients who subsequently developed testicular cancers and the period from ART to the development of clinical testicular cancers.

RESULT(S)

Of the 460 patients, 169 patients presented with mild oligozoospermia, 117 patients with severe oligozoospermia, and 174 patients with azoospermia. The follow-up periods were as follows: 1-192 months (median, 96.5 mo) for mild oligozoospermia, 1-156 months (median, 78.5 mo) for severe oligozoospermia, and 1-197 months (median, 99 mo) for azoospermia. We subsequently found three testicular cancers that had developed among severely oligozoospermic and azoospermic patients. The period from the claim of sterility to developing testicular cancers varied from 4 to 14 years (median, 9 y).

CONCLUSION(S)

These results indicate that severe semen abnormality may be a risk factor in developing testicular cancers. Self-examination of the testes could be used as an alternative or supplement to physical examination and testicular ultrasound as part of the infertility workup, even after ART.

Epidemiology and treatment delay in testicular cancer patients: a retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Testicular cancer (TC) is a quite rare malignancy, although its medical importance is growing due to a rapid growth in incidence. The recent age-adjusted incidence in the Slovak Republic attained 6.9/100,000; mortality was 0.4/100,000. Incidence has increased by 80% in the period 1968-2003. Diagnostic and treatment delay may have an impact on overall survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A national descriptive study evaluating the data of patients with TC diagnosed in Slovakia in the period 1993-2002 was designed. Patients were analyzed using medical questionnaires, case histories, clinical symptoms, parameters such as data of treatment onset and treatment approaches, histology of the tumor, the stage of disease, response to treatment, and the follow-up period in all 1,832 cases of TC.

RESULTS

The average incidence (1993-2002) was 6.2/100,000; mortality was 0.5/100,000. The median follow-up time of the patients with TC was 112.5 months, overall survival was 91% and 5-year survival was 96.2%. Mortality decrease and survival improvement, despite the incidence increase, are the result of not only an effective treatment, but also early diagnosis of each case. The overall treatment delay (mean time of 150 days) shows that young males are generally poorly informed about the possibility of TC occurrence.

CONCLUSION

The only methods to decrease the mortality of patients with TC, can be early detection and risk-adapted treatment in specialized centers according to the histology and clinical stage using standardized guidelines and long-term follow-up of patients with this malignancy.

An A/G polymorphism of core 2 branching enzyme gene is associated with prostate cancer

The expression of core 2 beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-1 (C2GnT) is associated with development and progression of malignancy. Sequence analysis showed that the codon 152 of C2GnT has a polymorphism having GTT encoding valine or ATT encoding isoleucine. By examining the polymorphism in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients, we found that the C2GnT G allele was more frequently observed in the prostate cancer group (p=0.015) than the control group. Men with the GG genotype had a 3.60-fold increased risk of prostate cancer, and men with the AG genotype had a 1.58-fold increased risk of prostate cancer compared with those with the AA genotype. The G allele was found to have a gene dosage effect for prostate cancer risk. No such risk was associated for benign prostatic hyperplasia. These results demonstrate that C2GnT A/G polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to prostate cancer in a Japanese population.

Comparison of two in vivo models for prostate cancer: orthotopic and intratesticular inoculation of LNCaP or PC-3 cells

BACKGROUND

The critical events in the clinical course of prostate cancer are the occurrence of metastasis and the induction of the hormone-refractory status of the disease. In order to investigate the factors responsible for these events, we need appropriate in vivo models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Orthotopic and intratesticular models were created by the injection of LNCaP cells or PC-3 cells into the prostate or testis of severe combined immunodeficient mice.

RESULTS

LNCaP cells in the intratesticular model showed a higher incidence of tumor formation and lymph node metastasis when compared with those in the orthotopic model, while PC-3 cells were highly tumorigenic and metastastic in both models. A high concentration of androgens might play a role in tumor aggressiveness of LNCaP cells, given that enhanced mRNA expressions of integrin alphaV and vascular endothelial growth factor was induced by dehydrotestosterone administration in vitro. The high expression of metastasis-related genes, including the urokinase plasminogen activator system, metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor-C, might be attributed to the high metastatic potential in both models. Interestingly, testicular xenografts of LNCaP cells were able to survive on the subcutis back of castrated male mice as well female mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Intratesticular models of prostate cancer appear to be suitable for studying the mechanisms of metastasis and for evaluating various treatment strategies.

Increasing incidence of testicular cancer worldwide: a review

PURPOSE

Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy in 20 to 34-year-old men. Numerous publications have shown an increase in the incidence of testis cancer in the last 40 years with substantial differences among countries. We evaluated worldwide variations in testicular cancer incidence and compared trends in different regions in the world.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 441 studies provided by a MEDLINE search using the key words testis/testicular, cancer/tumor and incidence that were published between 1980 and 2002. From these articles we selected only those devoted to testis cancer incidence and of them only the most recent studies from each country or region. Nevertheless, articles using the same data base but providing new and additional information, for example differences among ethnic groups or controversial explanations for trends, were also retained. We selected 30 articles and analyzed their methodological approach and main results.

RESULTS

Worldwide we observed a clear trend toward an increased TC incidence in the last 30 years in the majority of industrialized countries in North America, Europe and Oceania. Nevertheless, surprising differences in incidence rates were seen between neighboring countries (Finland 2.5/100,000 cases versus Denmark 9.2/100,000) as well as among regions of the same country (2.8 to 7.9/100,000 according to various regional French registers). In addition, substantial differences in the TC incidence and trends were observed among ethnic groups. The increase in the TC incidence was significantly associated with a birth cohort effect in the United States and in European countries. To date except for cryptorchidism no evident TC risk factor has been clearly demonstrated, although the environmental hypothesis with a key role of endocrine disrupters has been put forward by several groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Such a recent increase in the TC rate in most industrialized countries should lead urologists and andrologists to give more attention to testicular cancer symptoms in adolescents and young adults. In a public health perspective further research using cases collected through national and regional population based registers and case-control studies must be strongly encouraged if we wish to be able to assess future trends in TC incidence rates and also identify risk factors.

The experience of Japan as a clue to the etiology of testicular and prostatic cancers

In Japan dramatic lifestyle changes occurred after World War 2. To examine the experience of Japan as a clue to the etiology, trends in the mortality rates of testicular and prostatic cancers from 1947 to 1998 were related to changes in dietary practices. The male population born before 1945 had a peak in death from testicular cancer in their thirties or forties, whereas those born after 1946 had a peak in their twenties. The death rate of prostatic cancer increased 25-fold almost linearly after the war. The intake of milk, meat, and eggs increased 20-, 9-, and 7-fold, respectively, after the war. In connection with the development and growth of testicular and prostatic cancers in Japan, particular attention should be paid to milk, because the increase in its consumption in this country is a recent occurrence and because milk contains considerable amounts of estrogens plus saturated fats.

Survey of incidence of urological cancer in South Korea: a 15-year summary

BACKGROUND

Although the pattern of cancer incidence in South Korea is not the same as that of western countries, urological cancer will become one of the major cancers in South Korea in the near future. The pattern of cancer in South Korea is becoming steadily similar to that in western countries. It is, therefore, important to understand the epidemiological features of cancer. Surveillance of cancer incidence and mortality trends provides clues to etiology and helps to assess the effects of improved diagnostic, screening and intervention measures.

METHODS

The subjects of the study were 13,208 patients living in South Korea, newly diagnosed with urological cancer during the period of 1985-1999. The data were analyzed by age, sex, geography and period of diagnosis (1985-1989; 1990-1994; 1995-1999).

RESULTS

Bladder cancer was the most common urological cancer in South Korea (6,867 cases, 52.0%). The incidence of prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma was similar. Male patients outnumbered female patients by a ratio of 5.4 : 1. In both sexes, the peak incidence of urological cancer in South Korea was noted in the 70+ age group. The geographic distribution of urological cancer across seven residential areas was similar. The incidence rate of all urological cancer (except urethral and penile cancer) had increased remarkably, especially in the last several years. The crude incidence rate of urological cancer among Koreans in South Korea was estimated to be 46.55 per 100,000 males, 8.64 per 100,000 females and 27.67 per 100,000 across both sexes.

CONCLUSION

Although this survey is not definitive, these data should be useful in showing general patterns or changes of incidence of urological cancer in South Korea. The elevated incidence of urological cancer noted in our survey also indicates the need for continued promotion of urological cancer screening programs. Moreover, these results may be useful in indicating directions for future research of urological cancer.

The prevalence of renal cell carcinoma: a nation-wide survey in Japan in 1997

BACKGROUND

The present study was conducted to investigate the incidence of renal cell carcinoma by sex, age group and different regions in Japan.

METHODS

The survey was conducted from the beginning of January 1997 to the end of December 1997. A total of 1306 Institutions in all 47 prefectures throughout Japan were requested to register cases.

RESULTS

There were 6358 persons with renal cell carcinoma, consisting of 4372 men and 1986 women. The age-specific incidence rates showed a peak in the age group of 65-70 years in both men and women. The crude incidence rates per 100 000 population for men and women were 7.1 and 3.1, respectively, and age-standardized incidence rates per 100 000 population for men and women were 4.9 and 1.8, respectively. The incidence rates in the Hokkaido region were significantly higher than in other regions (P < 0.05), among which there was no significant difference in incidence rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that the incidence rates of renal cell carcinoma in Japan were approximately the same as among Japanese in Los Angeles. The rates were, however, lower than North American and European countries, but higher than China, Central or South American countries and African countries. The reasons for the high incidence of renal cancer in the Hokkaido region are not entirely clear. Further epidemiologic research is required.

Trends and characteristics in prostate cancer mortality in Japan

BACKGROUND

In North America, the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer has been declining since the early 1990s. We calculated the age-adjusted death rates, age-specific death rates and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for prostate cancer in Japan and analyzed their features.

METHODS

Yearly age-adjusted death rates for prostate cancer were calculated by dividing the number of events by the population at risk, with direct standardization to the world population. Age-specific death rates were calculated for the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s and which age group showed the highest rate of increase was examined. The SMR in each prefecture was also calculated for each period.

RESULTS

The respective number of deaths and the age-adjusted death rate was 1107 and 2.29 in 1973 and 6251 and 5.15 in 1997. The age-specific death rates showed an exponential increase with age in all three periods and the rate of increase was higher in older age groups. The distribution of SMR showed the same tendency in all three periods. The prefectures with significantly high or low SMR were distributed in clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

The prostate cancer death rate is increasing rapidly in Japan. However, the age-adjusted death rate has remained stable from 1996 to 1997. How this figure will change and whether the prostate cancer death rate in Japan will begin to decline, like in North America, is of interest. The prefectures with significantly high or low SMR showed a characteristic clustered distribution pattern.