[Primary prevention of urologic tumors: prostate cancer]

Urologe A. 2011 Oct;50(10):1271-2, 1274-5. doi: 10.1007/s00120-011-2617-4.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Assessment of the role of vitamins and micronutrients in the primary prevention of prostate cancer has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. Efforts to confirm the efficacy of a single substance have not yet succeeded. Therefore, such recommendations should at present no longer be given. Consideration could even be given to discussing whether additional large-scale interventional studies are expedient in this regard. There is still solid evidence that a well-balanced moderate diet, reduced consumption of milk products, and an Asian or Mediterranean diet are not only beneficial for general good health but can also prevent the development of prostate cancer. This should be the focus of further epidemiological studies. Thus, one can certainly speak of a paradigm shift in the prevention of prostate cancer. In contrast, available data on chemoprevention with 5α-reductase inhibitors is unequivocal: intake of finasteride as well as dutasteride correlates with significantly decreased evidence for prostate cancer. Converting this result into urologic practice remains the topic of extensive controversy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Azasteroids / administration & dosage
  • Dutasteride
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Finasteride / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Micronutrients / administration & dosage
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Primary Prevention*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Azasteroids
  • Micronutrients
  • Vitamins
  • Finasteride
  • Dutasteride