Low Testosterone Levels: An Indicator for Stricter Monitoring in Prostate Cancer

Low testosterone levels may require stricter monitoring in cases of prostate cancer. A study published in The Journal of Urology indicates that testosterone may serve as a useful risk marker to help physicians determine more appropriate monitoring strategies. This was reported by Reuters.

The team led by Dr. Justin Gregg from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center analyzed the medical data of over 900 men who chose an “active surveillance” strategy for early-stage prostate cancer.

The results show that testosterone levels of 300 nanograms per deciliter or lower at the start of surveillance are associated with a higher probability of the cancer progressing to Grade 3, which is considered the most aggressive form of the disease.

This correlation remains valid even after accounting for other factors such as age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, body mass index, and tumor characteristics. However, low testosterone levels were not associated with progression to Grade 2 of the disease.