[Prostate cancer and metabolic syndrome]

In recent years, more and more attention is being paid to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Meanwhile, relations between prostate cancer (PCa) and MetS, PCa and insulin/IGF-1, testosterone and PCa, are intricately intertwined. Some studies elucidated positive correlation between the number of MetS and predisposition to PCa. Specifically, serum IGF-1 and hyperinsulinemia are thought to have a stimulatory effect on the growth of PCa. In contrast, a decrease in insulin secretion accompanied by disease progression has an inhibitory effect on the growth of PCa. Although not much has been done to clarify the correlation, low testosterone environment caused by obesity and diabetes have been implicated in a development of high risk PCa. Hence, elucidation of the complicated relation between PCa and MetS requires diverse analysis. Hopefully, further studies on this subject help reduce prevalence of PCa and find an effective preventative measure against MetS.