TRT and Prostate Safety
In a recent paper by a leading expert on TRT, it is pointed out that most concerns regarding the safety of the treatment have now abated due to increased understanding, but that worries remain about prostate health.
Although TRT results in modest elevations in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) and minor changes in blood flow parameters, "there is no evidence that normal levels of testosterone promote the development of cancer of the prostate". However, "it is clear that the administration of testosterone enhances a pre-existing prostatic malignancy".
The author stresses that it is essential that men receiving TRT should be regularly monitored by the treating physician to identify early a cancer of the prostate, but that "a well informed clinician using common sense should feel comfortable in prescribing and monitoring …men receiving exogenous testosterone".
Reference:
- Morales, A.: Androgen replacement therapy and prostate safety. Eur Urol, 41: 113-120, 2002.