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Updated: May 16, 2026

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Published on: March 6, 2018
Does benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment with alpha-blockers affect prostate cancer risk?
Stacy Loeb1, Angela Gupta, Lia Losonczy
1Department of Urology, New York University, New York, New York, USA. stacyloeb@gmail.com
Purpose Of Review:
To determine whether alpha-blockers, commonly used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, are associated with prostate cancer risk.
Recent Findings:
Alpha-blockers have been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer aggressiveness in some observational studies and an increased risk in other studies. However, this relationship is complex as different alpha-blockers have divergent effects in laboratory studies and there are many confounders in daily practice such as differential screening practices.
Summary:
Both benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are common conditions in the aging male population, such that an interaction between alpha-blockers and prostate cancer risk is clinically relevant. Prospective evidence is necessary to establish a definitive link.
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