The incidence of prostate cancer (PC) has been increasing in Asian countries, where it was previously low. Although the adoption of a Westernized lifestyle is a possible explanation, the incidence is statistically biased due to the increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and the accuracy of national cancer registration systems. Studies on latent PC provide less biased information. This review included studies evaluating latent PC in several countries after excluding studies using random or single-section evaluations and those that did not mention section thickness. The findings showed that latent PC prevalence has been stable since 1950 in Western countries, but has increased over time in Asian countries. Latent PC in Asian men has increased in both prevalence and number of high-grade cases. Racial differences between Caucasian and Asian men may explain the tumor location of latent PC. In conclusion, the recent increase in latent PC in Asian men is consistent with an increase in clinical PC. Evidence suggests that this increase is caused not only by the increase in PSA screening, but also by the adoption of a more Westernized lifestyle. Autopsy findings suggest the need to reconsider the definition of clinically insignificant PC.
Keywords: autopsy; latent cancer; prostate cancer.