Physical abnormalities caused by metabolic syndrome raised the prevalence of prostate cancer, a local study showed. Metabolic syndrome refers to a set of metabolic conditions that lead to heart disease. Such conditions include insulin resistance, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol, and high clotting risk.

A research team led by Professors Yoo Sang-jun and Jeong Hyeon at Urology Department of Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center chose 2,369 male patients diagnosed with prostate cancer out of 130,342 men who had a health checkup supported by the National Health Insurance Service between 2003 and 2009.

The researchers compared the data with those of healthy ones and found that metabolic syndrome-induced abnormalities were associated with the prevalence of prostate cancer.

According to the study, 66 percent of male patients with prostate cancer had hypertension, and 27.4 percent had central obesity where fat accumulation concentrates in the abdomen.

Thirty-four percent of prostate cancer patients had a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol -- which eliminates the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol that triggers hyperlipidemia and helps blood’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Only 10 percent of the control group of healthy men had a drop in the HDL-cholesterol level.

The prevalence of prostate cancer among those with metabolic syndrome has steadily increased from the age of 40 to 79, according to the study. The increase rate surged particularly among those aged 70 and over. In other words, the risk of prostate cancer along with metabolic syndrome went up with age.

“We confirmed the possibility that metabolic syndrome such as obesity and hyperlipidemia could have a significant impact on the prevalence of prostate cancer,” Professor Jeong said. “Especially for the elderly male, improving lifestyle and diet can not only prevent metabolic syndrome but prostate cancer.”

The study was published on the January issue of the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.

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