5-alpha reductase inhibitors and prostate cancer prevention.
- Author:
Ben WAN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing 100730, China. wanben2000@sina.com
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors;
therapeutic use;
Humans;
Male;
Prostatic Neoplasms;
prevention & control
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2012;18(12):1059-1061
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
5-alpha reductase inhibitors decrease the level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. Trials on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in prostate cancer prevention showed that they could significantly decrease the incidence of prostate cancer, but meanwhile increase high-grade cases as well. Recent studies demonstrated that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors could reduce not only the prostate volume but also the volume of Gleason grade 3 prostate cancer, which made easier the detection of higher-grade prostate cancer in the second biopsy. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors could also increase the sensitivity of prostate biopsy in detecting prostate cancer, particularly that of a higher grade. The evidence we have obtained leads to the conclusion that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors do not increase the incidence of high-grade prostate cancer, but on the contrary help its earlier detection.
