Update on prostate cancer in black men

Background: Carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) is the most common male malignancy worldwide and the highest incidence has been recorded in black men. CaP appears to have a more aggressive biology in this sub-population but the reasons for these observed differences have not been fully elucidated. This article is a review of the current published evidence on the disease in black men. Methods: We searched Pubmed and Google for articles on CaP with an emphasis on those focusing on sub-population differences. Published abstracts of presentations at international scientific meetings were also reviewed. Results: Molecular studies suggest that black men have a genetic predisposition to the development and/or progression of CaP. Variations in several genes and cellular pathways have been implicated in their increased CaP risk. Clinicopathologic differences include more prevalent and extensive high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values at initial ...