SEX STEROIDS AND ADIPOKINES IN MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the world and in Poland it is the second cause of death in men suffering from cancer. Recent evidence suggests that obesity is associated with prostate cancer. Increased BMI correlates with aggressive disease and with higher risk of recurrence and mortality in prostate cancer patients. Obesity can promote the progression of prostate cancer through endocrine disturbances, mainly in sex steroids, through chronic inflammation resulting in altered production of adipokines, peripheral insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia and oxidative stress. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome can be used in the global assessment of prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. The aim of the paper is to present current state of knowledge about connections between obesity, metabolic syndrome, sex steroids and adipokines in men with prostate cancer.