A study on the prevalence of prostatic cancer among forensic autopsy cases

Abstract

In the aging society, elderly people often suffer cancer, which is associated with increased rates of 
fractures due to osteoporosis from cancer. In the present study, the prevalence of prostatic cancer, so
called “latent adenocarcinoma”, is investigated among forensic autopsy cases. Retrospective histo
pathology was performed on 114 subjects (61.8 ± 13.3 years old). Forth-four specimens (38.6%) harbored 
carcinomas with Gleason combined scores ranging from 3 to 9. The detection rate increased in accordance 
with age, in which the highest rate (8/13, 61.5%) was evident in the group of ≥ 80 years of age. However, no 
significant associations were apparent to age (P = 0.13) or body mass index (P = 0.36). Majority (34, 77.2%) 
displayed solitary lesions that were located mainly in the peripheral zone. Advanced capsular invasion was 
evident in five cases. The prostate that is not familiar to forensic pathologists should be examined in 
extrinsic fractures of the elderly because cancer might affect injury severity.