Leonard G. Gomella, MD, professor, chair, Department of Urology, director, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Network, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, discusses the factors that determine which patients with prostate cancer should undergo genetic testing.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines state that any patient with multiple family members who are under the age of 55 with prostate cancer should consider genetic testing, says Gomella. Additionally, for patients with a heavy burden of other cancers, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, or pancreatic cancer. in the family or hereditary cancer syndromes, they should also consider testing.

Gomella says the least controversial area in genetic testing, however, is for men who present with metastatic prostate cancer. PARP inhibitors, a new class of drugs, will soon be introduced to this space, a treatment that will be driven by genetic testing results.

According to Gomella, over 80% of patients with prostate cancer have what is called, sporadic prostate cancer. These cancers cannot be pointed toward an inherited or familial clustering of cancer. However, genetic testing is important to consider in the 15% to 20% of men where there is a genetic connection.

For more resources and information regarding genomic testing: [ Ссылка ]

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