Prostate cancer volume associates with preoperative plasma levels of testosterone that independently predicts high grade tumours which show low densities (quotient testosterone/tumour volume)

Simultaneous Measurements of Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Total Testosterone and Associations in Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the potential relations of simultaneous measurements of basal levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and total testosterone (TT) in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 126 patients who had simultaneous measurements of prostate specific antigen (PSA), FSH, and TT before undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized PCa. Correlations and independent associations between clinical and pathological factors were investigated by statistical methods.

RESULTS

The tumor volume (TV) was directly correlated to PSA and TT which was inversely related to FSH. Moreover, it was independently associated with both PSA and TT. In a multivariate linear regression model, FSH and TV were simultaneous independent factors associated with TT, and the association was inverse in the former and direct in the latter. In the patient population, the subset with FSH levels above the third quartile was related to lower median levels of TT that were associated with high grade cancer showing a lower TV. In localized PCa, basal levels of TT were associated with tumor parameters and inversely related to FSH levels, and the subset FSH levels above the third quartile were related to lower TT levels that were associated with high grade cancers showing a lower tumor load.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative TT was associated with tumor parameters and inversely related to FSH levels. Patient with increased FSH levels was related to lower levels of TT, which was associated with high grade cancer.