Comparison of the pre-treatment testosterone levels in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer patients

M.A Ogunjimi,R.W Ojewola,K.H Tijani,D.E Orakwe,E.A Jeje

doi:10.1016/j.afju.2016.03.004

M.A Ogunjimi, R.W Ojewola + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afju.2016.03.004

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Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare serum testosterone and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels of patients diagnosed of prostate cancer to those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Subjects and methodsOne hundred and thirteen male patients with or without LUTS who had indication(s) for prostate biopsies were recruited. Blood samples were analysed for serum testosterone and serum PSA. Prostate sizes were measured and PSA densities calculated before trans-rectal prostate biopsies were performed. ResultsOn histology of prostate biopsy specimens, 54 patients (47.8%) had prostate adenocarcinoma while 59 patients (52.2%) had BPH. Serum testosterone levels were lower in the prostate cancer group (23.09±2.31nmol/L versus 24.37±1.94nmol/L in the BPH group) but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.671). Serum testosterone also did not differ significantly with Gleason grade and Gleason score in patients with prostate cancer.Serum PSA and PSA density (PSAD) values were significantly higher in men with prostate cancer, and also in prostate cancer patients with high grade disease. ConclusionSerum testosterone levels of patients with prostate cancer did not significantly differ from those of patients with BPH and were not related to grade in prostate cancer patients.

Highlights

Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer of men and the incidence varies by race/ethnicity, with AfricanAmericans at highest risk in America [1]
Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and PSA density (PSAD) values were significantly higher in men with prostate cancer, and in prostate cancer patients with high grade disease
In the African subregion, prostate cancer presents approximately a decade earlier than it does in western countries, the patients still present with advanced disease in over 70% of cases [2,3]

Summary

Introduction

Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer of men and the incidence varies by race/ethnicity, with AfricanAmericans at highest risk in America [1]. In the African subregion, prostate cancer presents approximately a decade earlier than it does in western countries, the patients still present with advanced disease in over 70% of cases [2,3]. In these patients, the disease tends to progress more rapidly and Gleason score tends to be higher [3]. Tissue and serum level of androgens in those with or without prostate cancer have over the years been part of the focus of the search for better tumour markers for prostate cancer. A review of 25 studies comparing testosterone levels in a total of 2767 controls and 1481 patients with prostate cancer reported that the mean testosterone levels at diagnosis were the same in both groups in 15 studies (60%), higher in prostate cancer patients in four (16%) and lower in six (24%) [6]

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