Prostate cancer does not influence androgen levels: a radical prostatectomy cohort study

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between androgens and prostate cancer in patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy.

Subjects and methods: Patients scheduled for open radical prostatectomy were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before prostate biopsy and 12 months later to evaluate testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), PSA, calculated free and bioavailable testosterone.

Results: 44 patients were consecutively enrolled. 15 patients (34%) presented a Gleason score (GS) of 6, 24 patients GS 7 (54%), 1 patient (2%) GS 8, and 4 patients GS 9 (9%). Mean prostate cancer volume was 4.3 ± 5.7 cm(3). 24 patients presented a pT2 stage, 16 a pT3a stage, and 4 a pT3b stage. Positive surgical margins were detected in 12 patients (27.3%). No significant change of testosterone (4.21 ± 1.49 vs. 4.00 ± 1.48 ng/ml, p = 0.46), free testosterone (9.01 ± 3.64 vs. 8.85 ± 3.04 pg/ml, p = 0.83), SHBG (38 ± 14.39 vs. 38.5 ± 17.23 nmol/l, p = 0.71), calculated free testosterone (0.091 ± 0.13 vs. 0.067 ± 0.026, p = 0.563), and bioavailable testosterone (1.89 ± 0.722 vs. 1.88 ± 0.53, p = 0.912) was observed.

Conclusions: In our single-center study, prostate cancer does not impact on serum androgen levels, however our results should be confirmed in a larger study.