Endocrine Environment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Prostate Size and Volume are Correlated with Serum Estrogen Concentration

Abstract

Estrogen plays an important role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as has been shown in both experimental and clinical studies. To determine the endocrine environment of BPH, serum total testosterone (Total-T), free testosterone (Free-T), and estradiol (E2) concentrations were measured, and the relationship between these levels and prostate size and volume was analyzed. Blood samples were collected from subjects who attended the mass screening for prostate disease performed by our institute. No significant correlations were found between Total-T levels, Free-T levels, and prostate size, as determined by digital rectal examination. However, E2 levels and the ratios for E2/Total-T and E2/Free-T were significantly correlated with prostate size. To confirm these relationships, prostate volume was calculated from transrectal ultrasonographic images. E2 levels and these two ratios were, indeed, highly correlated with prostate volume. These results suggest that an estrogen-dominant environment plays an important role in the development of BPH.

Keywords:

• prostate size
• prostate volume
• transrectal ultrasound
• total testosterone
• free testosterone
• estradiol