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Prostate Cancer
• There are roughly 240,000 cases of prostate
cancer diagnosed in the United States each year,
making it the most common cancer in males.
• 10% of prostate cancer has a familial pattern.
The presence of prostate cancer in a first degree
relative ( father, brother, son) as the only finding
in the family increases your risk for prostate
cancer by 2 fold.
• There are known genetic mutations associated
with prostate cancer.
• BRCA2 male carriers have a 5 fold increase in
prostate cancer and these cancers tend to be
more aggressive.
• BRCA1 may be a risk factor but the increase in
risk is lower at 1.8 fold.
• Lynch syndrome is associated with a 2 to 3 three
fold increased risk.
• The recommendations are for men with Lynch
syndrome to begin screening at age 40 - ten
years ahead of their peers.
• Or screening should begin ten years before the
youngest case in the family.
• HOXB13 was first described by Ewing, et al in the
New England Journal of Medicine in 2012.
• The HOX or Homeobox gene sequence is
responsible for the assembly of the embryo -which
parts to develop first, second, third, and so forth.
• HOXB13 is the last segment and important for the
development of the normal prostate.
• Mutations that reactivate or alter this gene can
promote unregulated growth in prostate cancer.
• In a study from Sweden published in European Urology July 2012
the HOXB13 gene mutation was found in >1% of the population.
• It was linked to a 3.5 fold risk of prostate cancer.
• One-third of HOXB13 G84E carriers developed prostate cancer.
• This test is now offered by the University of Washington and other
labs.
• Contact our clinic if you would like to discuss your prostate cancer .