Prostatic Complications of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Abstract

The prostatic complications of testosterone replacement therapy have received little clinical attention. We describe three hypogonadal men who had prostatic disease (adenocarcinoma in two) detected in relation to such therapy. Literature review suggests that surveillance for early prostate cancer is appropriate during replacement therapy in men over the age of 50 years. We discuss the selective use of digital rectal examination, transrectal sonography, directed prostate biopsy, and prostate-specific antigen determinations before therapy and in subsequent follow-up in this age group of men during androgen replacement.