title: Vasectomy: potential links to an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer?
abstract: Several studies have found associations between aggressive prostate cancer (PC) and having a vasectomy. However, findings from two very recent meta-analyses have found that this is not the case. Therefore, the data are mixed. Herein, we detail the controversy between vasectomy and PC risk, particularly aggressive PC, by shedding some light on the molecular pathways, potential risk factors and suggested links for those considering vasectomy and medical professionals who perform it. We conclude by supporting the American Urological Association's position that there is no need to discuss potential prostate cancer risks with patients considering vasectomy given reasonably strong data finding no link between vasectomy and prostate cancer risk.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.|c 3 Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Alexis R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gaines
authors.affiliation: a 1 Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.|c 3 Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.affiliation: a 1 Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.|b 2 Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.|c 3 Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.|d 4 Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Freedland
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: cancer; epidemiology; prostate; risk; vasectomy