Terézia Jankovichová, Martin Jankovich
Objective: Prostate cancer represents one of the most common malignancies in men and one of the most common
causes of death from an oncologic disease. Obesity epidemic represents actual medical, social and economic problem.
The association of obesity as a risk factor for prostate cancer remains unclear, however correlation between obesity and
development of aggressive forms of prostate cancer and progression of the disease is supposed. The aim of this review
is to assess the correlation between obesity and prostate cancer based on available scientific information.
Material and methods: Searching and analysis of data available in electronic medical databases.
Results: Analysis of studies showed that obesity could be a predictor of aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Studies
analysing relation between obesity and prostate cancer demonstrated elevated risk of development of prostate cancer
especially when correlated with BMI and waist circumference despite of certain inhomogeneity. The positive correlation
of metabolic syndrome and aggressive tumour forms was also demonstrated. The research of possible molecular
mechanisms causing this relation did not show convincing results. Leptin level correlated with aggressive tumour
forms, activity of leptin was independent of presence of leptin receptors in tumour tissue. Insulin and IGF1 pathway
might be a possible connection between metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer but more detailed research is needed.
Conclusions: Obtained data suggest that obesity is an independent risk factor of aggressive and advanced forms of prostate
cancer influencing cancer specific mortality. Molecular mechanisms of this relation are not fully understood and
more research is needed.