Obesity and prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolism

Background:

• Obesity is a growing global health concern.
• Emerging evidence suggests a link between obesity and prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression.
• Biological mechanisms potentially linking obesity and PCa include hormonal imbalances, altered adipokine signaling, and increased oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of the association between obesity and prostate cancer (PCa).
• To explore the biological mechanisms by which obesity may influence PCa pathogenesis.
• To examine the clinical implications of obesity in PCa detection, management, and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical studies and biological research.
• Analysis of proposed pathophysiological pathways.
• Synthesis of findings on disease detection, staging, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Obesity may drive PCa development via insulin axis deregulation, altered sex hormone secretion, adipokine signaling, and oxidative stress.
• Enlarged peritumoral adipocytes might promote PCa local spread.
• Obese men show higher risks of advanced-stage diagnosis, disease upgrading, and upstaging under active surveillance.
• The link between obesity and PCa recurrence/mortality post-treatment is still under investigation.

Conclusions:

• Obesity may contribute to the development and progression of PCa, increasing the risk of advanced and high-grade disease.
• Further research is needed to clarify the association between obesity and long-term oncologic outcomes following radical treatments for PCa.