Latent carcinoma of the prostate in a 24-year-old man receiving cyclophosphamide and azathioprine
Elliott, G.B.; Silverberg, D.S.; Dossetor, J.B.; Muir, C.S.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 116(6): 651-652
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4409 PMID: 612349 Document Number: 111412
Patients with early occurrence of prostate cancer may be suspected of being exposed to unusually effective carcinogen doses before the age of 32.5 yr. The 4th power relationship implies that the carcinogenic process occurs in 4 stages. The reported case fits some of these criteria: early age, exposure to high doses of cyclophosphamide and azathioprine and the presence of a latent carcinoma. Whole prostate surveys should be planned among patients under 32.5 yr of age who die after immunosuppressive or mutagenic therapy. Such monitoring may give information on the duration of exposure and dose necessary for carcinogens to be effective, information often lacking for human cancers.