Testosterone replacement therapy and prostate cancer: a word of caution.
The number of men for whom testosterone is prescribed is rapidly increasing. The aging man normally demonstrates a gradual decline in testosterone. Symptoms of hypogonadism include erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, sarcopenia, increased adiposity, osteopenia and osteoporosis, impaired cognition, and depression. There is a paucity of data regarding both efficacy and safety of testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone levels have been shown to modulate prostate cancer risk and progression. A prospective evaluation of prostate cancer risk with testosterone replacement therapy has not been conducted. We outline concerns and recommendations for the use of testosterone replacement therapy in the aging man.
Brand
Timothy C
TC
Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. brandt2@uthscsa.edu
Canby-Hagino
Edith
E
Thompson
Ian M
IM
D000375:Aging; D018450:Disease Progression; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D019048:Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013739:Testosterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen