Metabolic abnormalities seen in testicular cancer survivors

(HealthDay)—Testicular cancer survivors (TCS) have metabolic abnormalities characterized by hypertension and increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Mohammad Abu Zaid, M.D., from Indiana University in Indianapolis, and colleagues examined clinical and genetic metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in 486 North American TCS aged <55 years at diagnosis and who received first-line chemotherapy.

The researchers found that, compared with controls, TCS had a higher prevalence of hypertension (43.2 versus 30.7 percent; P < 0.001), but they were less likely to have decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (23.7 versus 34.8 percent; P < 0.001) or abdominal obesity (28.2 versus 40.1 percent; P < 0.001). The frequency of MetS was similar in TCS and controls (21.0 versus 22.4 percent; P = 0.59), with no difference by treatment (P = 0.20) and no correlation with rs523349 (5-α-reductase gene SRD5A2; P = 0.61). TCS were significantly more likely to have increased LDL cholesterol levels (P < 0.001), total cholesterol levels (P < 0.001), and body mass index ≥25 kg/m² (P = 0.04). There were significant associations for age at evaluation, testosterone level ≤3.0 ng/mL, and elevated soluble cell adhesion molecule-1 level with MetS.

"Metabolic abnormalities in TCS are characterized by hypertension and increased LDL and total cholesterol levels but lower rates of decreased HDL levels and abdominal obesity, signifying possible shifts in fat distribution and fat metabolism," the authors write.

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