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Were genes the source of my PCa?

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Posted 9/27/2021 7:34 AM (GMT -5)
I just saw this in my medical chart : "Malignant neoplasm of prostate associated with mutation in ELAC2 gene"
The comment was added in 2018, eight years after my diagnosis. Why? I didn't do any genetic testing.

Does this mean I was destined to become a member of this club and didn't get PCa from outside chemicals like Roundup, Agent orange?

Is it likely my sons will get it?
Posted 9/27/2021 5:34 PM (GMT -5)
To answer, we really need to know where the DNA that was sequenced came from. I speculate (!) that it came from a biopsy or a prostate tissue slice (from the surgery) because you were never asked to provide a saliva sample.

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 9/27/2021 4:37:24 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/27/2021 5:35 PM (GMT -5)
Hey WG, hope your doing well.
I did a google search of ELAC2 gene and Prostate Cancer, came up with a lot of stuff that i didnt really understand, but as an engineer, you might. Engineers are smart ;-)
From what i did glean, yeah it seems like its possible your PCa was hereditary. Doesnt mean you were destined to get it, and certainly doesnt mean your sons will def get it, but maybe the probability is higher. Just by virtue of the fact that you had it, your sons should start testing early (I'm sure you know this already). My son started PSA testing at age 37 and his PCP was totally on board with it based on my history

As to why it appeared in your record so long after your treatment, thats odd. I'd want to know. Let us know if you call them and get the answer, its very odd and interesting. Could they have used your pathology tissue for a clinical trial or research? I doubt they would or legally could do that without permission.
Posted 9/27/2021 7:15 PM (GMT -5)
Well, WG, it's a definite maybe.

We know that PCa seems to run in families. We know a lot more today about the genetic predispositions to cancer than we used to. But, genetics is not destiny, not by a long shot.

I know my Dad, back in the early 2000's filled out a detailed prostate family history questionnaire for his doctors at the Cleveland Clinic--and that was about when he told me to start getting checked, some 15 years before mine showed up. He was an only child--but pretty much every male relative he knew had "prostate problems" going back for years and years. How many were cancerous? Who knows?
Posted 9/27/2021 8:45 PM (GMT -5)
ELAC2 was not part of the 21 gene panel listed in my 2019 genetic test results. A few internet queries did not turn up any significant hereditary results regard ELAC2 and prostate cancer that would demonstrate much predictive value at this point.

The simpler answer is you have PCa, Therefore, your sons should be advised of the family risk and consider baseline testing at age 40 like I tried to do. They will get the reminder from me in a couple of years.
Posted 9/28/2021 8:29 AM (GMT -5)
I spoke to my current GP about the comment in my file. She said it was added by the previous doctor's practice when they moved records to electronic form. She would need to do a lot of digging to find out where/why they wrote that.
Either way my PSa has been <0.02 for over 10 years so my chance of biochemical recurrence over the next 10 years is 3%. Except for the fact that I must start encouraging my sons to get tested, the info is ancient history.
Posted 9/28/2021 3:12 PM (GMT -5)
WG: Exactly. Keep on keeping on.....
Posted 9/28/2021 8:31 PM (GMT -5)
Worried Guy,
U R doing the right thing getting your sons tested early. Congrats on the 11 years = undetectable. That is absolutely awesome! Where is U of R medical Center? You should change your moniker to Satisfied, or Not Worried Guy!

Wings aka Dan in So Cal
Posted 9/28/2021 9:16 PM (GMT -5)
Wings... UofR Med Ctr = University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester NY. It used to be called "Strong".
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