Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Prostate Cancer- A Retrospective Analysis of Prostate Cancer Patients in Southern Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Tobacco contains harmful carcinogens that have been associated with cancers. Some studies have associated tobacco smoking with prostate cancer (PCa). The relationship between alcohol consumption as a risk factor for prostate cancer has been debated. Some studies associated alcohol consumption with increased risk of PCa, associating alcohol consumption with higher-grade cancers and poorer prognosis. Other studies have found a minimal relationship with PCa, with some even suggesting that alcohol consumption may even be protective.  This study evaluates the association between smoking and alcohol consumption in prostate cancer patients.

Methodology: This is a retrospective study on one hundred and fifty-two patients diagnosed with prostate cancer with a known history of both smoking and or alcohol consumption managed over a 9year period from January 2012 to December 2020 from three Urology referrals hospitals. Patients with incomplete history were excluded. Their data such as age, a history of cigarette smoking, prostate-specific antigen level, prostate biopsy histopathology reports, and Gleason’s grade were extracted. This was coded into Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SPSS version 20. The results were analyzed and presented in tables and charts.

Results: One hundred and thirty-five patients had a premorbid history of smoking and alcohol consumption with a mean age of 69years and a modal age in the 70-79year age group. Fifty-three (39.3%) of the patients had a history of cigarette smoking, ninety-four (69.6%) had a history of alcohol consumption. In comparison, fifty-one (37.8%) had a history of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. The high-risk Gleason’s 8-10 prostate cancer was commoner among smokers than nonsmokers. There was no statistically significant association between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption alone and combined with PCa.

Conclusion: The high-risk Gleason’s 8-10 prostate cancer was commoner among smokers than nonsmokers. There was no statistically significant association between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption and the risk of prostate cancer.