Dr. Gomella on the Prevalence of Genetic Testing in Prostate Cancer

Leonard G. Gomella, MD, professor, chair, Department of Urology, director, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Network, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, discusses the prevalence of genetic testing in prostate cancer.

All men with metastatic prostate cancer should undergo genetic testing to look for abnormalities, as it may direct treatment for advanced disease, says Gomella. The application of these tests in earlier-stage disease is less clear, however. More information is needed to understand how to best use these tests to screen patients who may be at risk for developing aggressive prostate cancer.

The shift towards a precision medicine approach is becoming more pronounced with the use of tissue staining to identify certain factors under the microscope and molecular genetic testing, regardless of specialty, says Gomella. This is especially true in prostate cancer, where researchers are hoping to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and towards the development of more tailored approaches, concludes Gomella.