Prostate Cancer and Androgenic Alopecia

February 2012 in “ Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism ”

Michael A. Yassa, Tarek Hijal, Philippe Giraud

androgenic alopecia prostate cancer androgens dihydrotestosterone DHT finasteride UV exposure vitamin D SRD5A2 A49T genomic studies scalp microenvironment prostate microenvironment AA PC Propecia

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Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

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Studysummary This abstract reviews the unclear link between androgenic alopecia and prostate cancer, highlighting the need for further research to determine the mechanisms connecting these two conditions.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 2012 examines the potential connection between androgenic alopecia (AA) and prostate cancer (PC), both of which are common in older men and influenced by androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While studies have produced inconsistent results regarding the association between AA and PC, the document highlights the use of finasteride, a medication that treats AA and may reduce the incidence of PC. It also mentions a hypothesis that AA could be protective against PC due to increased UV exposure and vitamin D production in balding individuals. A rare genetic variant (SRD5A2 A49T) is noted to be associated with a lower risk of AA and a higher risk of PC, although it is not prevalent in the general population. The document concludes with a call for more research, including genomic studies and analysis of the scalp and prostate microenvironments, to better understand the link between these conditions and potentially improve screening and treatment strategies.

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Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

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