Pancreatic Cancer and Androgen Metabolism

Serum androstenedione and testosterone levels were measured in 39 male patients with pancreatic cancer, and compared with the values obtained from 37 male patients with chronic pancreatitis or benign obstructive jaundice, and with those from 36 male patients with other gastrointestinal malignancies. Mean androstenedione values were significantly higher in the pancreatic cancer patients when compared to both control groups, and mean testosterone levels were significantly lower. The testosterone/androstenedione ratio was calculated and was also found to be significantly lower in the patients with pancreatic cancer. There was no difference in this ratio or in the androstenedione or testosterone levels when comparing both control groups. In two patients with stage I pancreatic cancer, serum androstenedione and testosterone levels were significantly altered, and returned to normal values after successful resection. These results confirm previous findings indicating that there is significant derangement in the androgen profile of patients with pancreatic cancer.