Serum Selenium Levels in Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Comparative Study in Nigerian Patients | Chapter 12 | Medical Science: Recent Advances and Applications Vol. 11

 

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer among men and also a significant cause of mortality. Over one million new cases were diagnosed in 2020, and over 300,000 deaths from prostate cancer were recorded in the same year. Selenium, a trace metal, has been investigated for its potential role in prostate cancer through mechanisms such as angiogenesis inhibition, modulation of cell death, and androgen receptor signalling. This study compares the serum Selenium (Se) levels of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer versus those diagnosed with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).

 

The study was carried out in the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Gbeye hospital. A total of 81 patients who gave their consent, and had lower urinary tract symptoms were recruited over a 6 months period. 40 patients had Benign prostate enlargement, while 41 patients had prostate cancer. Blood samples were collected and analysed for Se using an Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Patient biodata, prostate-specific antigen, and serum selenium levels were collected and analysed using SPSS version 20.

 

The mean age of respondents in this study was 60(9) and 62(9) for BPH and PCa respectively. The mean BMI was 25.81 (2.04). The mean PSA of the BPH and PCa groups were 2(1) and 18(5) respectively P <0.001. The serum selenium level for those with BPH was 0.17 (0.07), while that for those with PCa was 0.14 (0.07) with a p-value of 0.073.

 

This study found that serum Se was lower in patients with PCa compared with controls (BPH) but this difference was not statistically significant. The role of Se in prostate diseases and, indeed, prostate cancer still requires further research. This is particularly important in West Africa, where the burden of prostate cancer is high.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Okigbeye Danagogo
Department of Surgery, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

 

Egbuchilem Chisor-Wabali
Department of Surgery, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v11/6317