Androgen replacement after curative radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in hypogonadal men.
OBJECTIVE
We documented the experience of 2 urology practices with the use of testosterone supplementation to treat hypogonadal men who had undergone curative radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. We also reviewed the literature for reports of the use of testosterone in men surgically cured of prostate cancer.


METHODS
A retrospective review of clinical records of 2 busy private urology practices was used to compile brief case histories of hypogonadal men treated with testosterone who had undergone curative radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Using MEDLINE and BIOSIS Previews (Biological Abstracts, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), the literature was searched for articles describing the use of testosterone in men surgically cured of organ confined prostate cancer.


RESULTS
The case records of 7 hypogonadal men who had undergone curative radical prostatectomy were identified. All men had clinical symptoms of hypogonadism and low serum testosterone levels. Each man was treated with an androgen preparation. After variable followup periods no biochemical or clinical evidence of cancer recurrence was found in any of the group. No reports in the literature were found of a similar therapeutic approach for such patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the clinical experience with this small group of men, and indirect evidence of the safety of this approach from epidemiological and clinical data, further cautious use of testosterone in a carefully selected population seems warranted.
Kaufman
Joel M
JM
Urology Research Options, Aurora Urology, 1411 S. Potomac, Aurora, CO 80012, USA. joelk1123@aol.com
Graydon
R James
RJ
D000368:Aged; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013739:Testosterone