Harvard Health Blog

Many urologists prescribe alpha blockers to treat chronic prostatitis, but study shows that one such drug is ineffective in easing the condition.

A new prostate cancer vaccine may give hope to men with metastatic prostate cancer by spurring their immune systems to fight the disease, according to a presentation by Iowa researchers at the American Urological Association’s annual meeting in May 2008. Enabling a patient’s immune system to attack cancer cells can improve quality of life and extend survival.

Despite previous controversy, researchers report that finasteride may reduce overall disease risk and decrease rate of aggressive tumors.

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Research shows that checking for a protein called endoglin might determine the extent of prostate cancer.

Research shows that combining the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (Celebrex) and the cholesterol-lowering statin drug atorvastatin (Lipitor) halted the progression of prostate tumors in mice. Investigators are now planning to test the combo in prostate cancer patients.

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Research shows that men who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men without the genes.

A Swedish study finds that the combination of five genetic variations increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Researchers report that an experimental urine test can better distinguish between prostate cancer and benign conditions than both PSA and PCA3 testing.

Research has shown that testosterone levels decline as men age. In theory, taking testosterone supplements should counter that natural process. But a Dutch study concluded that they few benefits.

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Two teams of researchers suggest that focal therapy may be a promising treatment option for men with cancer confined to the prostate. However, more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.

Physicians and researchers have long believed that consuming high amounts of calcium and dairy products increases the risk of prostate cancer, although study results have been inconsistent. Two recent studies make clear that the jury is still out.

Obese men tend to have lower PSA concentrations than men with healthier weights. As a result, fewer obese men undergo biopsies, potentially leaving prostate cancer undetected.

A study by Boston researchers found that hormone therapy may increase risk of death from heart disease, especially among patients who have had prostate surgery.

Studies reveal that lycopene, a nutrient found in tomatoes, does not seem to reduce prostate cancer risk.

Historically, the answer has been yes, but mounting evidence suggests that lifestyle factors may influence risk.

A British study finds that repeat biopsies may play an important role in active surveillance for untreated, localized prostate cancer.

Anxiety, not clinical symptoms and disease progression, may sway patients toward treatment.

Blood and tissue levels of chromogranin A (CgA) may be early indication that prostate cancer that won’t respond for long to hormone therapy.

Study finds that finasteride may actually lower the overall risk of prostate cancer and aid in the detection of aggressive tumors. An earlier study had implicated finasteride in the development of these deadlier tumors.

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More research is needed, but taking tadalafil (Cialis) could be helpful for men with BPH.