Seven-year Review of Prostate Carcinomas Diagnosed by TRUS Biopsy in a Single Malaysian Institution

Introduction: Analysis of epidemiological as well as survival differences among the multiethnic population ofMalaysia with prostate cancer is important.
Methods: Patients confirmed by transrectal-ultrasonographic-guidedbiopsyperformed from 2002 to 2008 were enrolled and analysed according to ethnicity, age, PSA level, Gleasonscore, stage of disease and survival.
Results: Among 83 patients, there were 38 Malay, 40 Chinese, 3 Indians and2 others. Median age at diagnosis was 69.9 (range: 59-93), 43 patients (51.8%) being diagnosed before the ageof 70. The median PSA level upon diagnosis was 574 ng/ml (range: 1-8632) and the median Gleason score was 7(range: 2-10). Over half were already in Stage 4 when diagnosed. The most common site of metastasis was thebone. As a result the commonest prescribed treatment was hormonal manipulation. Five patients underwentradical prostatectomy and a further thirteen patients had radical radiotherapy (stage I: 1 patient, stage II: 7patients and stage III: 5 patients). Ten patients defaulted follow-up. The median disease-specific survival was 21.9months (range: 1-53).
Conclusions: Prostatic carcinoma is a disease of the elderly and it is frequently diagnosedlate in Malaysia. Greater efforts should be made to educate Malaysians regarding prostate cancer.