Prostate cancer and vasectomy: a hospital-based case–control study in China, Nepal and the Republic of Korea

Abstract Background The study of a possible relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer has yielded mixed results. Data from developing countries are limited. Study Design We conducted a hospital-based case–control study in China, Nepal and the Republic of Korea to evaluate the risk of prosta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contraception (Stoneham) 2009-05, Vol.79 (5), p.363-368
Main Authors: Schwingl, Pamela J, Meirik, Olav, Kapp, Nathalie, Farley, Timothy M.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Birth control
Case-Control Studies
China
Developing Countries
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Korea
Male
Male genital diseases
Male sterilization
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Nepal
Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Other methods of contraception. Sterilization
Prostate cancer
Prostatic Neoplasms - epidemiology
Prostatic Neoplasms - etiology
Tumors
Tumors of the urinary system
Urinary tract. Prostate gland
Vasectomy
Vasectomy - adverse effects
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Summary:Abstract Background The study of a possible relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer has yielded mixed results. Data from developing countries are limited. Study Design We conducted a hospital-based case–control study in China, Nepal and the Republic of Korea to evaluate the risk of prostate cancer after vasectomy. Results Prostate cancer in 294 cases (confirmed by independent pathologists) and 879 matched controls were included. The odds ratio of prostate cancer in men with a history of vasectomy was 1.21 [95% confidence interval (95% CI)=0.79, 1.87]. No significant trend was observed in risk by time since vasectomy or age at vasectomy. The odds ratio for localized disease was 1.02 (95% CI=0.53, 1.95); the odds ratio for later stages was 1.41 (95% CI=0.78, 2.53). No confounding factor was identified. The study illustrated differential misclassification of disease by vasectomy status; reference pathologists determined that 28% of men with a history of vasectomy, compared with 17% of men without a history of vasectomy, were misdiagnosed with prostate cancer by local pathologists. Conclusion Vasectomy is not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in developing countries where the rate of the disease is low.
ISSN:0010-7824
1879-0518
DOI:10.1016/j.contraception.2008.11.015