title: Low testosterone bioavailability is related to prostate cancer diagnose in patients submitted to prostate biopsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Relationship between prostate cancer (PCa) and testosterone (T) is controversial. Conflicting evidence has been published about T levels and development of PCa.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) To determine the relationship between hormone levels and the diagnosis of PCa. (2) To specifically focus on the relationship between PCa and T in men classified as biochemically hypogonadal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective analysis of 1,000 transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies (5 + 5 cores biopsies) between September 2007 and January 2010 in one center. Indication for prostate biopsy was suspicion of PCa on the basis of elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or digital rectal examination (DRE). Serum testosterone and sex hormones binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in these patients. Of 557 men, the data were sufficient for further analysis. Age, body mass index (BMI), smoking/drinking habits, PSA, free PSA, PSA density, prostate volume, number of previous biopsies, DRE, and hormone levels were prospectively recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No relationship was found between T and PCa (449 ± 167 ng/dL in PCa versus 437 ± 169 ng/dL in non-PCa). SHBG was significantly higher in patients with PCa (51 ± 27 ng/dL in PCa vs. 44 ± 18 ng/dL in non-PCa). In hypogonadal men, T levels correlated with the PCa (235 ± 95 ng/dL in men with PCa versus 270 ± 58 ng/dL in men without PCa, P = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  T levels were comparable in men with and without PCa, but SHBG levels were significantly higher in men with PCa. In men with low T, the men with PCa had a lower serum T levels and a lower prostate volume than the men without PCa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. edu_garcia_cruz@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García-Cruz
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huguet
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piqueras
authors.forename: Meritxell Pérez
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peri
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Vijande
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ribal
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alcaraz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015331:Cohort Studies; D051517:Digital Rectal Examination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D036761:Ultrasound, High-Intensity Focused, Transrectal
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen