Blood hormone profiles in prostate cancer patients in high-risk and low-risk populations.

Epidemiologic data reveal that the incidence rate of prostate gland carcinoma among the black population in the United States (US) is several times higher than among Nigerians. A collaborative study between the two countries was undertaken, and blood hormone (testosterone [T], dihydrotestosterone [DHT], estrone [E1], estradiol [E2], and prolactin [P1]), total acid phosphatase (TP), and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) profiles in the two population groups were compared. In the US groups (patients and controls) there were significantly higher levels of T (P less than 0.01) and E1 (P less than 0.05) compared with the Nigerians. Also, the US patients had significantly higher levels of T (P less than 0.05) and E1 (P less than 0.01) compared with their matched controls. In the Nigerians T but not E1 levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in patients compared with controls. DHT, E2, and P1 were not significantly different in patients and controls between and within the populations. Nigerian patients had higher levels (P less than 0.001) of TP and PAP compared with US patients. It is concluded that differences in blood hormone profiles in the two population groups are based on factors other than the genetic makeup of the populations.