Aim: To investigate the relationship between androgens and prostate cancer in patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy. Subjects and Methods: Patients scheduled for open radical prostatectomy were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before prostate biopsy and 12 months later to evaluate testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), PSA, calculated free and bioavailable testosterone. Results: 44 patients were consecutively enrolled. 15 patients (34%) presented a Gleason score (GS) of 6, 24 patients GS 7 (54%), 1 patient (2%) GS 8, and 4 patients GS 9 (9%). Mean prostate cancer volume was 4.3 ± 5.7 cm3. 24 patients presented a pT2 stage, 16 a pT3a stage, and 4 a pT3b stage. Positive surgical margins were detected in 12 patients (27.3%). No significant change of testosterone (4.21 ± 1.49 vs. 4.00 ± 1.48 ng/ml, p = 0.46), free testosterone (9.01 ± 3.64 vs. 8.85 ± 3.04 pg/ml, p = 0.83), SHBG (38 ± 14.39 vs. 38.5 ± 17.23 nmol/l, p = 0.71), calculated free testosterone (0.091 ± 0.13 vs. 0.067 ± 0.026, p = 0.563), and bioavailable testosterone (1.89 ± 0.722 vs. 1.88 ± 0.53, p = 0.912) was observed. Conclusions: In our single-center study, prostate cancer does not impact on serum androgen levels, however our results should be confirmed in a larger study.

Keywords:
Hormones, Prostate cancer, Testosterone, Gleason score, Prostatectomy
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel
2011
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.