Study: Obese Men at Greater Risk From Prostate Cancer

Obese men with prostate cancer are more likely to have aggressive tumors and to experience cancer recurrence after surgery, according to two new studies.

The findings, reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests that men may be able to modify their risk of aggressive prostate cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, according to researchers.

In one study involving 1,106 patients, men with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater -- the equivalent of a 5-foot-10 man weighing 245 pounds -- had a 60 percent risk of prostate cancer recurrence within 3 years.

In the second study involving 3,162 prostate cancer patients, men with a BMI of 30 or greater -- the equivalent of a 5-foot-10 man weighing 210 pounds -- tended to have higher Gleason scores (a measure of tumor aggressiveness) as well as a higher rate of recurrence.

The researchers suggested that proteins and hormones stored in body fat – such as leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1 – may promote prostate tumor growth in obese men.

"In light of the rising incidence of obesity worldwide, identifying obesity as a risk factor for aggressive prostate cancer is important, since it may be one of the few modifiable risk factors for prostate cancer," Dr. Alfred I. Neugut of Columbia University said in an accompanying editorial.

"The number of prostate cancer survivors is steadily increasing and it will be important to investigate if weight loss and other lifestyle changes can improve prognosis in those already diagnosed with prostate cancer," Neugut added.

Other Sources: Journal of Clinical Oncology