Does Testosterone Promote Colorectal Cancer?

CoastWatcher

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It may.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth commonest type of malignancy after breast, lung and prostate in the USA and accounts for approximately 49,190 deaths annually in USA alone. The 5-year survival rate of CRC has increased over the past decades, in part, due to greater awareness and the widespread implementation of national screening programmes. Recently, a number of studies reported that males have a higher risk of developing CRC due to the action of testosterone.

  • Studies on rats with mutated Apc tumour-suppressor gene subjected to either ovariectomy or orchidectomy exhibit different risks of CRC.
  • Female rats subjected to ovariectomy are at higher risk of CRC, whereas orchidectomised male rats exhibit a lower risk of developing CRC.
  • Sex hormones, in particular estrogen and testosterone, play a significant role in the development of CRC since the anti-neoplastic effect of estrogen lost during ovariectomy increases the risk of females developing CRC.
  • Testosterone similarly plays important roles in human CRC.
  • Long cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats in the gene for the androgen receptors have been associated with a poor 5-year survival compared to shorter CAG repeats.
  • Very recently, the measurement of serum unbound testosterone has been suggested as a novel biomarker along with carcinoembryonic antigen in CRC. In conclusion, testosterone may promote the development of CRC via a number of pathways, which may place males at greater risk.

Testosterone holds promise as a potential biomarker in CRC risk prediction; however, further studies are required to better define its role in colorectal neoplasia.

"The role of testosterone in colorectal carcinoma: pathomechanisms and open questions," EPMA Journal, 2016 November 10, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5103431/
 

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Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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