Circulating levels of gonadotropins before and after prostate ablation in cancer patients.

Background: The prostate gland synthesizes a host of hormones, prostaglandins and growth factors. It is not clear if such biochemical factors modulate the hypothalamic/ pituitary (H-P) gonadal axis. Aim: To determine the influence of the prostate gland on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis feedback system and changes in circulating hormone levels before and after cryoablation of the entire prostate. Methods: In 37 consecutive patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent total cryoablation we investigated the circulating levels of testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) from 3 years prior to diagnosis to 3 years after initiating treatment. Results: The levels of LH and FSH were significantly elevated in most patients up to 3 years after surgery. No significant changes were observed for the other hormones, with a decrease in PSA as expected. Conclusion: LH and FSH levels rise after ablation of the prostate gland and the levels remain high for up to 3 years after surgery, which suggests that the prostate gland may influence the H-P feedback axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]