Androgenetic Alopecia and Risks of Overall and Aggressive Prostate Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

November 2025 in “ Cancers ”

David G. Hanelin, S S Amar, Ilir Agalliu

androgenetic alopecia male pattern baldness prostate cancer frontal baldness vertex baldness genetic variations hormonal changes

TLDR Men with male pattern baldness may have a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer.

This updated systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and prostate cancer (PrCa) risk, analyzing 19 studies with 17,810 cases and 146,806 controls. The findings suggest that men with both frontal and vertex baldness have a modestly increased risk of total PrCa (pooled RR = 1.08), while vertex-only baldness is associated with more aggressive PrCa (pooled RR = 1.14). However, the results showed substantial heterogeneity, particularly in defining aggressive PrCa, and were primarily based on studies involving Caucasian men. The study highlights the need for large prospective cohort studies to explore the role of genetic variations and hormonal changes in the relationship between hair loss patterns and PrCa risk.

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Genetic predictions of baldness in Europeans don't apply well to African men.

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Early-onset baldness is linked to genetics, lifestyle, and can indicate higher risk for heart and metabolic diseases, and affects mental health.

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Hormones and genes affect hair growth and male baldness.

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Men with vertex baldness may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this.

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Researchers found 71 genetic regions linked to male pattern baldness, which account for 38% of its genetic risk.

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29 citations , February 2016 in “Scandinavian journal of urology”

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Men with male pattern baldness have a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer.

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Men with baldness at the front and top of their head at age 45 may have a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

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Early-onset baldness is linked to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer in African-American men, especially before age 60.

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Vertex pattern hair loss linked to higher prostate cancer risk.

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Asian hair loss differs from Europeans; consider individual needs and psychological well-being for treatment.

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