SIGNIFICANCE OF NON-UROLOGICAL CLINICAL INDICES IN MANAGEMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

Background: To have a re-look at the common non-urological features of prostate cancer with a view of determining if the non-urological presenting symptoms in patients with carcinoma of the prostate are of any significance or use as applicable indices in their management, especially in developing countries. Method: Twenty-seven patients with carcinoma of the prostate and twenty patients with benign prostatic enlargement presenting over a five-year period were studied. From the data on both groups of patients, the sensitivities, specificities, predictive values, and usefulness indices of the non-urological symptoms of carcinoma of the prostate were determined. Result: The commonest non-urological symptoms of carcinoma of the prostate were constipation, pedal oedema, weight loss, waist pain, abdominal pain/discomfort, generalized body weakness, and inability to walk. All the symptoms were of relatively poor sensitivity and negative predictive value, but specificity and positive predictive value were relatively high, and were remarkably so for pedal oedema, weight loss, generalized body weakness, inability to walk, and chest pain. None of the symptoms was found to be useful in the management of the patient as none attained the minimum acceptable usefulness index. Conclusion: Non-urological symptoms of carcinoma of the prostate are not useful indices for the detection and management of CAP. Efforts should be made to ensure provision of the minimal facilities for the management of carcinoma of the prostate in healthcare facilities in the developing countries.