Southeast Asian men have significantly less prostate cancer and a significantly smaller volume of cancer than North American men, suggesting that differences in mortality relate to both initiation and progression of disease, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association. Before the current study was conducted, many researchers believed that the major factor for geographic differences in mortality was disease progression, while disease initiation was consistent internationally.

“These study findings represent a new direction for further research into the geographic and racial factors that impact initiation of prostate cancer,” said Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., lead investigator and presenter. “The more we understand those factors, the better we can predict who is at the greatest risk of developing cancer, and can institute enhanced screening guidelines.”

The study examined 128 autopsy specimens (43 North American men, 85 Southeast Asian men). Nearly four times the number of distinct cancer lesions were found in the North American men as in Southeast Asian men (54 and 15 lesions, respectively). There were a higher percentage of prostates with cancer, more foci of cancer per prostate, and larger cancer volumes per prostate in the North American men.

“The results validate the preliminary work of Gary J. Miller, M.D.,Ph.D.” said Angelo M.De Marzo, M.D., Ph.D., senior author.