Abstract

Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of latent prostate cancer differs significantly depending on ethnicity and geographical locations. This autopsy study was designed to determine the prevalence of prostate cancer and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) among Turkish males.

Materials and methods: Prostate glands were removed from 114 consecutive males (mean age 55±11 years; range 25 to 85 years) who were brought to the Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, for autopsy study following trauma-induced death. For histopathologic examination, eight sections were obtained from each prostate gland, in particular from the peripheral zone. The specimens were dehydrated, rinsed with xylene, and fixed in paraffine blocks. Five-micron sections were cut from these blocks, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and were examined under light microscope.

Results: Latent adenocarcinoma was detected in 11 cases (9.7%), and HGPIN was detected in eight cases (7%). In the age group ≤40 years, none of the cases had prostate cancer or HGPIN. The prevalences of prostate cancer and HGPIN were 3.5% and 6.9% in the 41-50 age bracket, 8.3% and 4.2% in the 51-60 age bracket, 12% and 4.0% in the 61-70 age bracket, 13.6% and 13.6% in the 71-80 age bracket, and 33.3% and 16.7% beyond age 80, respectively.

Conclusion: Based on our data with limited autopsy cases, the prevalence of incidental prostate cancer appears to be low in the Turkish population. Genetic, environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors may be involved in this relatively low incidence of prostate cancer.