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, involving 19 studies with 17,810 prostate cancer (PrCa) cases and 146,806 controls, found a modest association between male pattern baldness (MPB) and increased risks of total and aggressive PrCa, especially in men with MPB onset at age 40 or older. Vertex MPB was linked to a 14% higher risk of aggressive PrCa, while frontal baldness showed no association. The study emphasizes the need for more diverse research, as most data were from Caucasian men, and suggests that genetic factors and androgen metabolism may influence the relationship between MPB and PrCa. Future studies should include multiethnic populations and consider genetic and hormonal factors to better understand these associations.

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