Clinicopathological features, treatment and outcome of Omani patients with localised prostate cancer

Impact of Funding Source on Long-Term Outcomes in Prostate Cancer: Analysis of a Large Public Database From Sao Paulo, Brazil

PURPOSE

We investigated the impact of the funding source (public v private) on the overall survival (OS) of men with prostate cancer in Brazil.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with prostate cancer from a large hospital registry from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Patients age 50-99 years diagnosed with prostate acinar adenocarcinoma or adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS) between January 2014 and December 2017 were eligible. Demographic and clinical features were analyzed alongside the funding source. On the basis of clinical characteristics at diagnosis (lymph node status, distant metastasis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], and Gleason score), patients were categorized into low-risk, intermediate-risk, high-risk, and metastatic groups.

RESULTS

Of 25,009 patients analyzed, 85% had a public funding source. These patients were slightly older, had greater proportion of adenocarcinoma NOS, and higher PSA levels and risk category. There was a significant difference in OS favoring patients with a private funding source (P < .0001). The estimated OS rates at 5 years were 76.2% (95% CI, 75.6 to 76.9) and 86.9% (95% CI, 85 to 88.7) for the public and private groups, respectively (P < .0001). The funding source was significantly associated with OS independent of age, educational level, and receipt of any treatment in the intermediate-risk (hazard ratio [HR], 2.28 [95% CI, 1.58 to 3.30]; P < .001) and high-risk (HR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.80]; P = .04) groups, but not in the low-risk (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.60 to 1.21]; P = .38) or metastatic groups (HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.64 to 1.11]; P = .23).

CONCLUSION

The worse OS observed for patients with prostate cancer with a public source of funding underscores the need for actions directed to improve the standards of public health care in Brazil.

Trend in incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer in Northern Tanzania: analysis from a population based cancer registry data 2015-2021

BACKGROUND

Globally, prostate cancer is a common disease among men. However, limited epidemiological data exists regarding prostate cancer in Tanzania. Consequently, there is insufficient evidence to convince policymakers of the need to combat this health issue. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, trends and clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer in northern Tanzania.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study with chart review utilised data from the Kilimanjaro cancer registry, identifying all adult men diagnosed with cancer from January 2015- December 2021. The study recorded variables such as subject age, symptoms, Gleason score, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and metastatic statuses at presentation. Risk stratification followed American Society of Medical Oncology criteria, including low, intermediate and high-risk categories. The analysis was conducted using STATA version 17.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 5164 adult men were registered, with prostate cancer accounting for 1619(31.4%) and showing an increase trend in incidence. The mean age at presentation was 73.9(± 10.1) years, and the majority of study subjects were from Kilimanjaro region 1200(74.1%). After applying exclusion criteria, 714 subjects with histologically confirmed diagnoses of prostate cancer remained. Of these, 710(99.4%) were symptomatic at presentation, with lower urinary tract symptoms being the most common symptoms in 548(76.8%). The median PSA at presentation was 109(36.2-263) ng/mL with 349(51.1%) having a PSA of > 100ng/mL. Gleason group grades 4 and 5 accounted for 207(29.5%) and 219(31.2%), respectively. A total of 178(43.6%) subjects had metastatic disease at presentation. The treatment of choice for a large proportion of subject 440(94.6%) was androgen deprivation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of prostate cancer in northern Tanzania is high and the majority of subjects present with symptoms. A large proportion of subjects have metastatic disease at initial presentation, emphasizing the need for prostate cancer screening.

Prostate cancer knowledge and barriers to screening among men at risk in northern Tanzania: A community-based study

BACKGROUND

Although prostate cancer (Pca) screening plays important role in early diagnosis and reduction of mortality, Tanzanian men are relatively unscreened. We aimed to investigate Pca knowledge level and barriers to screening among at-risk men in northern Tanzania.

METHODS

This community-based survey was conducted in northern Tanzania from May to September 2022, involving men age ≥40 years. Participants were invited by announcing in local churches, mosques, brochures, and social media groups. Participants attended a nearby health facility where survey questionnaires were administered. Knowledge level was measured on the Likert scale and scored as poor (<50 %) or good (≥50 %).

RESULTS

A total of 6205 men with a mean age of 60.23 ± 10.98 years were enrolled in the study. Of these, 586 (9.5 %) had ever been screened for Pca. Overall, 1263 men (20.4 %) had good knowledge of Pca. Having health insurance, knowing at least 1 risk factor or symptoms of Pca, and hospital as the source of Pca information were significantly associated with ever being screened. The most common reasons for not being screened were a belief that they are healthy (n = 2983; 53.1 %), that Pca is not a serious disease (n = 3908; 69.6 %), and that digital rectal examination (DRE) as an embarrassing (n = 3634; 64.7 %) or harmful (n = 3047; 54.3 %) procedure.

CONCLUSION

Having Pca knowledge, health insurance and hospital source of information were correlated with increased screening. False beliefs about DRE and the seriousness of Pca had negative effects on screening. Increasing community knowledge and universal health coverage would improve uptake of Pca screening.