Undifferentiated prostate cancer and high Chromogranin A (CgA) levels may be related, according to a recent theory. For a study, researchers sought to determine if CgA levels and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in males having radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) were related.

A prospective database was created for 335 consecutive males who had RRP for PCa at 3 locations in Italy starting in 2012. Before RRP, the body mass index (BMI) was computed. Chromogranin A and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were assessed in blood samples (CgA). Using logistic regression analysis, they examined the relationship between serum CgA levels and upstaging and upgrading.

Preoperative PSA levels were 7.2 ng/ml (IQR: 5.3-10.4) and the median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 60-69). About 56 (16%) of the population were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), with a median BMI of 26.1 kg/m2) (IQR: 24-29). CgA levels were 51 on average (39/71). Overall, 99/335 (30%) and 129/335 (38,5%) showed upstaging and upgrading, respectively. On RP, CgA did not forecast upgrading or upstaging.

CgA is not a predictor of poorly differentiated PCa following radical prostatectomy in the multicenter sample of patients. The findings indicated that CgA is not a good indicator of prostate cancer that is poorly differentiated or progressed.

Reference: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pros.24412

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