Journal article
Retrospective study of testosterone deficiency and symptom burden in patients with pancreatic cancer
Translational andrology and urology, Vol.12(7), pp.1079-1089
07/28/2023
DOI: 10.21037/tau-22-684
PMCID: PMC10406543
PMID: 37554534
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer patients have poor quality of life. Testosterone deficiency is associated with constitutional symptoms and sexual dysfunction which may contribute to poor quality of life. We investigated the prevalence of screening for and presence of testosterone deficiency in male pancreatic cancer patients.
Methods: To determine the frequency of screening for testosterone deficiency in pancreatic cancer patients, our institution’s electronic medical record system was queried for male patients diagnosed with a pancreatic mass between 2006 and 2020 and an available testosterone level. In a separate analysis, total testosterone was measured in serum samples from a cohort of 89 male pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Low serum testosterone was defined as <300 ng/dL.
Results: One thousand five hundred and sixty-six male patients were identified with a pancreatic mass, and 35 (2.2%) also had a testosterone level. In our analysis cohort, 44 of 89 patients (49.4%) were found to have low serum testosterone. Symptoms consistent with testosterone deficiency were documented for 70% of these patients, with fatigue being the most common. Testosterone level had no significant association with progression-free survival (PFS) (P=0.66) or overall survival (OS) (P=0.95).
Conclusions: Testosterone deficiency is common but rarely assessed in male patients with pancreatic cancer. Further studies are warranted to explore the possibility of testosterone supplementation to improve quality of life in this patient population.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Retrospective study of testosterone deficiency and symptom burden in patients with pancreatic cancer
- Creators
- Austin G. Kazarian - University of IowaHolly K. Conger - Carver College of Medicine University of IowaSarah L. Mott - University of IowaBradley T. Loeffler - University of IowaSpencer M. Dempewolf - Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center University of IowaKristen L. Coleman - University of IowaAmy M. Pearlman - University of IowaCarlos H. F. Chan - University of IowaErin E. Talbert - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Translational andrology and urology, Vol.12(7), pp.1079-1089
- DOI
- 10.21037/tau-22-684
- PMID
- 37554534
- PMCID
- PMC10406543
- NLM abbreviation
- Transl Androl Urol
- ISSN
- 2223-4683
- eISSN
- 2223-4691
- Publisher
- AME Publishing Company
- Grant note
- Additional University of Iowa funds No. P30CA086862 / the Biospecimen Procurement and Molecular Epidemiology Resource (BioMER) and the Biostatistics Core of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center through funds from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health No. R00AR071508 / National Institutes of Health No. HL007485 / the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health T35
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/28/2023
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Surgery; Radiation Oncology; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984449329702771
Metrics
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