Association of low socioeconomic status with adverse prostate cancer pathology among African-American men undergoing radical prostatectomy

Abstract Introduction/Background: We tested for associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and adverse prostate cancer pathology in a population of African-American (AA) men treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Materials & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from two institutions for AA men who underwent RP for between 2010-2015. Household incomes were estimated using census tract data, and patients were stratified into income groups relative to the study population median. Pathologic outcomes after RP were assessed, including the CAPRA-S score and a definition of adverse pathology (stage≥pT3, Gleason score ≥4+3, or positive lymph nodes), and compared between income groups. Results 347 AA men were analyzed. Median household income was $37,954. Low-SES men had significantly higher PSA values (mean 10.2 vs. 7.3, p Conclusion In a population of AA men undergoing RP, we observed an independent association of low SES with advanced stage or aggressive prostate cancer. By including only patients in a single racial demographic, we eliminated the potential confounding effect of race on the association between SES and prostate cancer risk. These findings suggest that impoverished populations may benefit from more-intensive screening and early, aggressive treatment of prostatic malignancies.