The effects of testosterone replacement therapy on the prostate: a clinical perspective [version 1; referees: 2 approved]
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Male hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome characterized by low testosterone and symptoms of androgen deficiency. Prostate cancer remains a significant health burden and cause of male mortality worldwide. The use of testosterone replacement therapy drugs is rising year-on-year for the treatment of androgen deficiency and has reached global proportions. As clinicians, we must be well versed and provide appropriate counseling for men prior to the commencement of testosterone replacement therapy. This review summarizes the current clinical and basic science evidence in relation to this commonly encountered clinical scenario. There is gathering evidence that suggests, from an oncological perspective, that it is safe to commence testosterone replacement therapy for men who have a combination of biochemically confirmed androgen deficiency and who have either had definitive treatment of their prostate cancer or no previous history of this disease. However, patients must be made aware and cautioned that there is a distinct lack of level 1 evidence. Calls for such studies have been made throughout the urological and andrological community to provide a definitive answer. For those with a diagnosis of prostate cancer that remains untreated, there is a sparsity of evidence and therefore clinicians are "pushing the limits" of safety when considering the commencement of testosterone replacement therapy.
Date Issued
2019-02-25
Date Acceptance
2019-02-20
Citation
F1000Research, 2019, 8
ISSN
2046-1402
Publisher
F1000 Research Ltd
Journal / Book Title
F1000Research
Volume
8
Copyright Statement
© 2019 Miah S et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Sponsor
National Institute for Health Research
Wellcome Trust
University College London Hospitals Charity
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30828436
Grant Number
17/68/01
204998/Z/16/Z
1348
Subjects
Prostate cancer
androgen deprivation
andropause
late onset hypogonadism
testosterone replacement therapy
Publication Status
Published online
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
ARTN 217
Date Publish Online
2019-02-25