Low Testosterone in Male Cancer Patients and Survivors

Perry Xu; Edward Choi; Kayla White; Faysal A Yafi

doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.03.004

Low Testosterone in Male Cancer Patients and Survivors

Sex Med Rev. 2021 Jan;9(1):133-142. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.03.004. Epub 2020 May 17.

Authors

Perry Xu¹, Edward Choi¹, Kayla White¹, Faysal A Yafi²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
² Department of Urology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA. Electronic address: Fyafi@uci.edu.

PMID: 32430241
DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.03.004

Abstract

Introduction: Hypogonadism (HG) is prevalent among patients with ongoing advanced cancer and cancer survivors. The etiology of HG in these patients is multifactorial and can be examined from cancer-related and cancer-treatment perspectives. There is evidence that HG contributes to increased morbidity in male cancer patients. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for cancer survivors and advanced cancer patients is not well studied outside of prostate cancer. Here, we evaluate and summarize the current literature on HG in male cancer patients, including the role of TRT in nonprostate cancer patients.

Objective: To summarize and present the literature for the background, etiology, clinical consequences, and treatment for HG in male cancer patients and survivors.

Methods: A literature review was performed in MEDLINE between 1980 and 2020 using the terms hypogonadism, advanced cancer, testosterone replacement therapy, quality of life, and cancer survivors. Studies including only prostate cancer patients were excluded.

Results: The main outcome measure was to complete a review of peer-reviewed literature. HG is not only prevalent among male cancer patients and survivors but also clinically reduces quality of life and increases morbidity. The etiology of HG in male cancer patients and survivors is multifactorial. There are few studies examining the benefit of TRT in these patient populations. The results of randomized controlled trials show potential benefit for TRT in hypogonadal male cancer survivors and those with advanced cancer.

Conclusion: HG affects many male cancer patients and survivors because of a multifactorial etiology. HG in these patients contributes to increased morbidity and reduced quality of life. Treatment of HG in male cancer patients is not well studied, and further studies are needed to elucidate the role of TRT. Xu P, Choi E, White K, et al. Low Testosterone in Male Cancer Patients and Survivors. Sex Med 2021;9:133-142.

Keywords: Cancer; Cancer Survivor; Hypogonadism; Testosterone.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Hormone Replacement Therapy / adverse effects
Humans
Hypogonadism* / drug therapy
Male
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Quality of Life
Survivors
Testosterone / therapeutic use

Substances

Testosterone