Dr. Mohler on Recommendations for Genetic Testing in Prostate Cancer

James L. Mohler, MD, professor of oncology, associate director, and senior vice president of Translational Research, chief of Inter-Institutional Academics at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses recommendations for performing genetic testing in prostate cancer.

Patients who have a strong family history of prostate cancer, meaning those who have been diagnosed with metastatic disease, were under the age of 55 at the time of diagnosis, or developed fatal cancer, should undergo genetic testing. These individuals may have a DNA repair gene abnormality, says Mohler. If the patient has a regional or metastatic prostate cancer, especially at a young age, they might harbor a mutation that could be amenable to targeted therapy. These patients should also undergo genetic testing, says Mohler.

Finally, all patients with advanced disease whose disease has progressed on conventional therapy should undergo a biopsy as it could guide subsequent treatment selection, concludes Mohler.