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Testicular cancer survivors with testosterone deficiency may have reduced q

Category: Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers

A new study has found that young testicular cancer survivors who develop a testosterone deficiency after receiving therapy often experience low energy and a reduced quality of life. The results of the study suggest that these patients may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom examined the association between testosterone levels, self esteem, fatigue and sexual function in 176 testicular cancer survivors and 213 healthy young men.

The cancer survivors reported decreased energy levels, a reduced quality of sexual function and a marked impairment in quality of life. Moreover, the 15 percent of cancer survivors who developed a testosterone deficiency reported intensified symptoms.

However, the researchers found that cancer survivors had no issues with psychological distress or low self-esteem.

"This is an important study demonstrating that low testosterone levels are common in male cancer survivors and associated with an impaired quality of life," said lead investigator Richard Ross.

"We now need interventional trials with testosterone to determine which young male cancer survivors will benefit from replacement therapy," he added.