The testosterone conundrum: The putative relationship between testosterone levels and prostate cancer

Abstract Background The controversy surrounding the relationship between testosterone and prostate cancer has existed for decades. The literature surrounding this topic is confusing and at times contradictory. There is no level-one quality evidence that confirms or refutes the relationship between e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urologic oncology 2016-11, Vol.34 (11), p.482.e1-482.e4
Main Author: Loughlin, Kevin R., MD, MBA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenocarcinoma - blood
Adenocarcinoma - epidemiology
Adenocarcinoma - etiology
Adenocarcinoma - genetics
Aging - blood
Androgen Antagonists - pharmacology
Androgen Antagonists - therapeutic use
Androgens
Animals
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics
Disease Susceptibility
Humans
Male
Mice
Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - blood
Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - epidemiology
Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - etiology
Prostate - chemistry
Prostate cancer
Prostatic Hyperplasia - blood
Prostatic Neoplasms - blood
Prostatic Neoplasms - epidemiology
Prostatic Neoplasms - etiology
Prostatic Neoplasms - genetics
Receptors, Androgen - genetics
Receptors, Androgen - physiology
Relationship
Risk
Testosterone
Testosterone - analysis
Testosterone - blood
Trinucleotide Repeats
Urology
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Summary:Abstract Background The controversy surrounding the relationship between testosterone and prostate cancer has existed for decades. The literature surrounding this topic is confusing and at times contradictory. There is no level-one quality evidence that confirms or refutes the relationship between either high or low serum testosterone levels and the subsequent development of prostate cancer. This commentary aims to review the issues involved and to provide an interpretation as to the causes of the confusion and to provide a framework for ongoing discussion and investigation. Materials and methods A Medline and PubMed search was conducted using search terms: testosterone levels and prostate cancer to identify pertinent literature. Results There is no consistent evidence that a single testosterone level is predictive of prostate cancer risk. Conclusion The development of prostate cancer is a complex biologic process potentially involving genetics,dietary, life style and hormonal factors. Serum testosterone levels do not accurately reflect the internal prostatic milieu. Finally, if testosterone levels are to be considered in the etiology of prostate cancer they should be measured and interpreted on a chronic basis with multiple measurements over a period of years.
ISSN:1078-1439
1873-2496
DOI:10.1016/j.urolonc.2016.05.023