PSA, Gleason score and epidemiology of prostate cancer (PC) in Grenada

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess (1) the incidence and survival rates of PC, (2) the distribution of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) and Gleason score in Grenada. DESIGN AND METHODS: A PC hospital-based series from the only urologist in the island was assembled. Age-adjusted incidence rates, PSA levels and Gleason scores for Grenada were analyzed and compared with US-Blacks and incidence rates from “International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)-contributing” Caribbean registries. RESULTS: 601 new cases of PC diagnosed between 1997-2013 equate to an annual age-adjusted incidence rate of 69.3 per 100,000 in Grenada. This is similar to the Jamaica rate of 77.3, but much inferior to those of US-Blacks 197.7 and Martinique 177.8. The median PSA level in Grenada was 18.0 ng/ml compared to 7.0 among US-Blacks (P<0.05). 47% of Grenadians with PC were in the high risk PSA category (>20ng/ml), compared to only 17% US-Blacks. Lower tract urinary infection and positive digital rectal examination were both significantly associated with high risk PSA and high risk Gleason score (Gleason sum ≥ 8). CONCLUSION: The lower PC incidence in Grenada and Jamaica is likely a reflection of lower prevalence of PSA-testing. Thus, PSA levels fall more substantially in the high risk category.