3.4 kb mitochondrial genome deletion serves as a surrogate predictive biomarker for prostate cancer in histopathologically benign biopsy cores.

Recently, we described a 3.4-kb mitochondrial genome deletion having significance for identifying malignant and benign prostate tissues (p < 0.001). This biomarker was also present in normal appearing tissue, in close proximity to a tumour indicating a "field effect." In the present study, we report 4 cases (3 malignant, 1 benign) which suggest that this field effect may occur before tumourigenesis; this effect may also identify the presence of a small tumour focus/foci, which are difficult to detect with single or multiple biopsy procedures.