Metabolic disorders and prostate cancer

This study investigated the impact of metabolic disorders on long-term survival after prostate cancer diagnosis. Researchers concluded that men with metabolic disorders are at increased risk of mortality from all causes. 

Advances in treatment and early detection of prostate cancer have increased survival and led to a growing number of men living with prostate cancer. Identifying risk factors that could impact the long-term prognosis of prostate cancer is, therefore, increasingly important. The presence of metabolic disorders (such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels) has previously been associated with poorer cancer treatment outcome. Addressing metabolic disorders early could, therefore, improve prognoses. However, more studies are needed to help understand the link between metabolic disorders and long-term survival after prostate cancer diagnosis.

This analysis included 715 men with prostate cancer, with 42 of these men diagnosed with at least one metabolic disorder. Health outcomes were analyzed over an average follow-up of 12 years. 244 men deceased over the course of the study. Of these, 77 (32%) men deceased due to prostate cancer and 167 (68%) men deceased due to other causes.

Overall, the presence of a metabolic disorder did not impact mortality due to prostate cancer. However, men with diabetes at the beginning of the study showed a 56% increased risk for mortality from all causes, when compared to men without diabetes. Increased all-cause mortality risk was even more pronounced (nearly four times higher) if diabetes was diagnosed more than 10 years before the prostate cancer diagnosis. A high waist circumference or high blood pressure did not affect mortality risk from all causes. However, mortality risk from all causes increased by 76% if at least two metabolic disorders were present (including a waist circumference equal to or greater than 102 cm, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels) in addition to diabetes. 

Researchers concluded that metabolic disorders, and in particular diabetes, contribute to increased mortality risk among prostate cancer patients.

Larger studies involving a greater number of prostate cancer patients with metabolic disorders are needed to confirm these results.