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Updated: May 24, 2026

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
[Demand for and clinical practice of complementary selenium therapy in prostate cancer patients]
1Gesundheitszentrum Bad Elster und Vogtland-Klinik Bad Elster, Deutschland. dh.zermann@vogtland-klinik.de
Background:
Selenium supplementation is a popular and broadly adopted complementary oncological treatment option. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the necessity and the indication for selenium therapy in prostate cancer patients.
Methods:
295 consecutive patients after radical prostatectomy were evaluated for oncological, basic laboratory and lifestyle characteristics. The selenium level was measured using graphite furnace atom absorption spectroscopy.
Results:
The median selenium level was 103.4 (72.9–142.1) μg/l. Correlations were found between a low selenium level and progressed cancer disease, positive lymph node status, chronic nicotine and alcohol abuse, and chronic multiple medications.
Conclusion:
Based on a documented low selenium level in 96.3% of investigated prostate cancer patients and the known consequences of an insufficient selenium supply, a targeted selenium supplementation is recommended. Selenium therapy should be part of an individual medical nutritional and lifestyle intervention.
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