Prognostic factors in prostate Cancer: A Review Article

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer is widely known to vary substantially in aggressiveness. There is also significant potential morbidity associated with aggressive curative treatment. So, there is a tremendous interest in the development of prognostic factors that could guide management decisions that allow treatment to be tailored and individualized. This review seeks to identify the traditional tumour related prognostic factors, emerging biomarkers of prognostic importance as well as patient and environment related prognostic factors in prostate cancer. Method: The PubMed database was searched for all existing literature. Also, references were made to some bibliographies cited in the available literature. Conclusion: Majority of prostate cancer may not progress to clinically significant disease. Prognostic factors have therefore become important to predict tumour progression and eventual outcome.

Keywords: prostate cancer, prognostic factors, tumour makers, biological markers.