Dr. Cheng on Molecular Testing Considerations in Prostate Cancer

Heather H. Cheng, MD, PhD, associate professor of medical oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, director, Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, discusses considerations for molecular testing in prostate cancer.

Typically, patients fall into 3 categories: men with metastatic prostate cancer, men whose cancer was detected early, and men who are at risk of developing prostate cancer based on genetic risk factors, explains Cheng.

Patients with metastatic disease may be more concerned with available treatment options than molecular testing as their disease requires immediate intervention, says Cheng.

Conversely, patients who are at a high risk of developing prostate cancer may want to focus on relaying relevant genetic information to allow their family members to take precautionary steps regarding their own health.

Patients with localized disease may want to discuss therapy options as well as family implications upon diagnosis, explains Cheng.

Enrollment in clinical trials and early identification of patients with high risk factors such as BRCA2 mutations is necessary to reduce the number of patients who develop metastatic disease, concludes Cheng.