The metabolic syndrome is associated with more aggressive prostate cancer

The aim of this study was to analyze any association between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and risk of prostate cancer (PCa) and cancer grade among men undergoing radical prostatectomy for PCa.

50 patients with MetS and 50 patients without MetS who undervent radical prostatectomy (RP) were included in the study. Age at biopsy, height, weight, digital rectal examination (DRE), pre-biopsy PSA levels, prostate volume, histopathologic diagnosis after surgery and Gleason scores were collected data from all patients. Histologic material obtained at biopsy was given a Gleason score; tumours with a Gleason score ≥7 were considered high grade and <7 were considered low grade.

The mean age at the time of biopsy was 63.7 ± 5.94 in patients with MetS and 61.6 ± 6.14 in patients without MetS. Men with MetS had significantly lower PSA levels (p=0.01) (7.21 ± 2.74 and 8.81 ± 2.72, respectively). Also, the men with MetS had higher RP tumor grade (p=0.04).

Men with MetS undergoing RP have lower PSA levels and have significantly higher grade PCa. We must be careful for screening PCa in patients with MetS. Although the patients had lower PSA levels, they may have high grade disease.