Sunday, December 22, 2013

Does CKD increase the risk for prostate cancer?

Here's one more reason to aggressively identify, manage, and stay connected to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): Prostate cancer. 

A recent study from Korea analyzed a group of men with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA 4-10 ng/ml). They were all biopsied, but those with stage 3-5 CKD (eGFR < 60) were more likely to have a cancer detected.

Although I'm not sure that PSA screening is a good idea in this population (or any others, for that matter), these findings are certainly disturbing. What isn't clear is whether our strategies for slowing the progression of renal insufficiency (especially blood pressure control and angiotensin inhibition) can prevent the development of prostate cancer.

Cho SYPark SLee SBSon HJeong HDifferences in prostate cancer detection rates according to the level of glomerular filtration rate in patients with prostate specific antigen levels of 4.0-10.0 ng/ml.  2013 Jun;67(6):552-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.03014.x.

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