Genetic analysis shows prostate cancer to be five distinct diseases

Researchers at Cancer Research UK said they had been able, for the first time, to group prostate cancer tumours into five distinct groups based on their genetic make-up.

The findings, based on analysis of 100 different genes in cancerous tissue from 250 men, could, in the future, help doctors distinguish between more and less aggressive prostate cancers, and adjust the way they are treated accordingly.

Study author Dr. Alastair Lamb, from Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Institute, said the implications of the results were “exciting”.

“These findings could help doctors decide on the best course of treatment for each individual patient, based on the characteristics of their tumour,” he said.

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