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Abstract: We study the CAG repeat region in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) and the TaqI polymorphism in exon 9 of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the association with prostate cancer. 137 incidentally discovered, histologically verified prostate cancers were analysed for CAG repeat length in AR and genotype at the TaqI site of the VDR. 124 control subjects were analysed to determine the CAG repeat length and TaqI genotype determined for 176 control subjects. An unpaired t-test shows that the mean CAG repeat length was significantly (p <0.001) shorter among cases (20.1 repeats) compared with controls (22.5 repeats). Dividing the prostate cohort and controls into tertiles (⩽19, 20–22, ⩾23 repeats) shows that short repeats are significantly more common among cases (odds ratio (OR) 4.45, p =0.00003). Genotype frequencies for the TaqI polymorphism reveals no significant differences between cases and controls. We conclude that men with a short CAG repeat in the androgen receptor gene have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective . To investigate the geographical variation in prostate cancer incidence in Sweden, in particular the incidences of screening-detected tumours and curative treatment of prostate cancer. Material and methods . Data were retrieved from the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden for all cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the year 2000–01. There were a total of 14 376 cases of prostate cancer and the mean total annual age-adjusted incidence was 197/100 000 men. There were 3318 cases in tumour category T1c, i.e. non-palpable tumours diagnosed during work-up for an elevated serum level of prostate-specific antigen, 1006 of which (30%) were asymptomatic and detected at a health check-up. Results . The difference between the counties with the lowest and highest age-adjusted incidences per 100 000 men of total prostate cancer was almost twofold (128 vs 217). The corresponding variation in incidence of category T1c tumours was more than fourfold (13 vs 60); the difference in incidence of T1c tumours detected in asymptomatic men was up to 10-fold (2 vs 20); and there was more than a fourfold variation in incidence of curative treatment between counties (13 vs 67). Measured incidences were mostly highest in urban regions and in counties with university hospitals. Conclusion . There are large geographical variations in prostate cancer incidence and in the frequency of curative treatment for prostate cancer in Sweden and there appear to be large geographical variations in the uptake of prostate cancer screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With a population-based setting, high coverage and accurately recorded data, the validity of a register is guaranteed. The South-East Region Prostate Cancer relies on the National Cancer Register as a basic source of data, thereby ensuring a high coverage of the corresponding geographic area. To assess the reproducibility of the data recorded a random sample of the cases were reviewed a second time and compared to the original recording. Material and methods: The South-East Region Prostate Cancer Register was started in 1987. In addition to the basic data acquired from the Swedish National Register, it also includes tumour stage, grade, treatment and, since 1992, PSA. In the first stage of quality assessment 10 cases for each of the years 1987-1996 from Linköping University Hospital were randomly selected for two independent recodings according to the same protocol as the original registration. In the second step 10 cases each for the same years from the remaining 8 hospitals in the region were selected for a single recoding. Results: No systematic deviations were seen between the two independent recodings from Linköping, a single recoding was therefore considered sufficient for assessing the reproducibility of the data from the remaining hospitals in the region. The Kappa values for agreement between the original registration and the single recoding ranged from 0.589 to 0.869. Conclusion: The population-based setting and high coverage guarantees the external validity of the register. The internal validity is ensured by the high reproducibility shown in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a randomized clinical trial related to the feasibility of prostate cancer screening in general practice and its capability to minimize mortality due to the cancer after 20 years. The study found that the mortality rate because of prostate cancer did not differ to a large extent. It informs that men from 50-69 years of age were examined during the trial. A graph depicting the Kaplan-Meier survival curves for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is also presented.