Unsuspected Prostate Cancer After Cystoprostatectomy: A Comparison Between Two Periods in Taiwan

Background/PurposeThe incidence of and mortality rate from prostate cancer have been rising rapidly in Taiwan in recent years. Prostate specimens obtained during cystoprostatectomy may play a role in the study of prostate cancer evolution.MethodsFrom January 2001 to December 2005, we collected and examined retrospectively 65 prostate specimens obtained from patients during cystoprostatectomy performed for various conditions. Fourteen patients (21%) had evidence of prostate cancer and 11 (17%) had high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.ResultsWe compared our results with those of a previous study conducted at the same institute from 1992 to 1997. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in unsuspected prostate cancer prevalence (p = 0.263), but the prevalence declined from 32.7% to 21.5%.ConclusionThe results imply that the epidemiological decline in unsuspected prostate cancer in central Taiwan may be associated with the wide application of testing for prostatic specific antigen.