Comparison of serum testosterone levels in prostate cancer patients

Authors

  • Seetha Venkateswaran Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON
  • David Margel Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON
  • Stanley Yap Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON
  • Karen Hersey Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON
  • Paul Yip Chemistry Medstaff, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON
  • Neil Eric Fleshner Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.377

Abstract

Introduction: The prostate secretes enzymes and nutrients to promote sperm motility. Recent reports suggest that the prostate may also secrete testosterone, which is believed to be a fuel for prostate tumour growth. The aim of this study was to determine if a difference in serum testosterone levels exists between men on luteinizing hormone releasing-hormone (LHRH) agonists who have undergone radical prostatectomy, radiation or hormone therapy as primary prostate cancer treatment.

Methods: Serum testosterone levels were evaluated in 165 consecutive prostate cancer patients using LHRH analogues for >3 months. We excluded patients receiving either radiation or chemotherapy at time of time of testosterone measurement. Patients were classified based on primary treatment: (1) radical prostatectomy; (2) radiation; or (3) primary hormone therapy. We used one-way ANOVA to compare testosterone levels. Pearson correlation was used to correlate testosterone with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and time on LHRH agonists. Multivariable linear regression was used to predict serum testosterone levels.

Results: The median (interquartile range) serum testosterone levels were 1.4 (1-1.9), 1.3 (1-1.625) and 1.25 (0.9-1.525) nmol/L for radical prostatectomy, radiation and primary hormone therapy groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in testosterone levels between the groups (p = 0.3). No correlation was found between testosterone and PSA levels or time on LHRH (r = 0.02 and r = 0.01), respectively. Multivariable linear regression showed that none of the clinical variables were predictors of
serum testosterone levels.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that primary treatment does not
affect serum testosterone levels among men using LHRH analogues.

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Author Biographies

Seetha Venkateswaran, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

David Margel, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

Stanley Yap, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

Karen Hersey, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

Paul Yip, Chemistry Medstaff, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

Neil Eric Fleshner, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON

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Published

2013-02-26

How to Cite

Venkateswaran, S., Margel, D., Yap, S., Hersey, K., Yip, P., & Fleshner, N. E. (2013). Comparison of serum testosterone levels in prostate cancer patients. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 6(3), 183–6. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.377

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2012): CUAJ June

Section

Original Research

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