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Extraprostatic production of prostate specific antigen is under hormonal control
1Department of Urology, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Germany.
The Journal of Urology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Testosterone therapy significantly increases urinary prostate-specific antigen (PSA) excretion in transgender men, indicating androgen control over extraprostatic PSA production. This finding is crucial for understanding PSA dynamics beyond the prostate gland.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a key tumor marker in urology, primarily produced by the prostate gland.
- Extraprostatic PSA production occurs in periurethral glands, detectable in urine but not serum in women and post-prostatectomy men.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of continuous testosterone substitution on urinary PSA excretion.
- To determine if androgens influence extraprostatic PSA production.
Main Methods:
- Studied 20 female-to-male transgender patients receiving testosterone (250 mg every 4 weeks).
- Compared urinary PSA levels to 20 control women not receiving testosterone.
Main Results:
- Mean urinary PSA was significantly higher in transgender men (12.03 ng/ml) compared to controls (1.73 ng/ml).
- Serum PSA levels showed no significant difference between the groups.
- The difference in urinary PSA was statistically significant (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Extraprostatic PSA production is demonstrably under androgen control.
- Testosterone therapy leads to increased urinary PSA excretion in individuals with extraprostatic PSA production.