In a nutshell
This study looked at if body mass index (BMI) is connected to possible prostate cancer recurrence. It concluded that there is an association between higher BMI and possible prostate cancer recurrence. It also concluded that obese men did not have more aggressive cancer recurrences.
Some background
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system by producing fluid that is part of semen. Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled growth of the cells which make up the gland. Prostate cancer can be treated by medication, surgery or radiation.
Prostate cancer can be more prominent in obese men. Obesity may make prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment more difficult. Studies have found that obese men show increased blood indicators of cancer recurrence after prostate surgery.
Methods & findings
4,123 men were included in this study. Databases were searched for men who had prostate removal surgery. Men were divided into 4 groups based on weight. The groups were normal weight, overweight, mildly obese and moderately/severely obese. Recurrence of prostate cancer was based on high level of PSA (substance released from prostate). Statistical analysis was performed to calculate PSA doubling time (PSADT). PSADT is a measure of the aggressiveness of the cancer.
22% of men were normal weight. 45% of men were overweight. 24% of men were obese. 9% of the men were moderately or severely obese. A higher BMI was associated with a younger age for surgery and a higher cancer grade. 34% of men had blood indicators of prostate cancer in the follow-up period. An increased BMI was found to be connected to an increased level of the prostate cancer blood indicators. These results however, were not significant. Of the men who did have a recurrence of the blood indicators, 76% of them had PSADT. PSADT values were similar across the 4 different weight groups.
The bottom line
This study concluded that a higher BMI was associated with an increase in the blood indicators of prostate cancer recurrence.
The fine print
The authors note that more studies with even more participants are needed to confirm a connection between BMI and prostate cancer blood indicators.
What’s next?
If you are interested in learning more about a possible link between BMI and prostate cancer recurrence, talk to your doctor.
Published By :
BJU international
Date :
Oct 22, 2018
