Risk of colorectal cancer in men on long-term androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Androgen deprivation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or orchiectomy is a common but controversial treatment for prostate cancer. Uncertainties remain about its use, particularly with increasing recognition of serious side effects. In animal studies, androgens protect against colonic carcinogenesis, suggesting that androgen deprivation may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Methods

We identified 107 859 men in the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database who were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993 through 2002, with follow-up available through 2004. The primary outcome was development of colorectal cancer, determined from SEER files on second primary cancers. Cox proportional hazards regression was use

SUBMITTER: Gillessen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2994861 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature