First genetic factor for prostate cancer outcomes identified

European scientists have identified a gene associated with worse prognoses and lower survival rates among prostate cancer patients.

The Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, the UK's Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust made the groundbreaking discovery, which represents the first genetic factor to be linked with prostate cancer prognosis.

It was discovered that patients with prostate cancer and hereditary mutations in the BRCA2 gene are more likely to suffer from fatal forms of the disease, suggesting new ways of organising the clinical management of prostate cancer sufferers.

David Olmos of the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre said: "Now that we have managed to identify patients with potentially lethal disease, our next challenge is to explore the most adequate treatments with the least side effects that have a real impact on survival."

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men worldwide and the single most common form of the disease among males in many developed nations, including the UK.