Did Propecia Cause My Testicular Cancer?
Hi:
I was on Propecia for roughly six years between 2000 through 2006. I had decent results, kept the hair on the top of the head, however the temples were receeding a bit. The hairline in the front was thin as well. In 2007 I was diagnosed with stage 1 testicular cancer. It was localized to my left testicle and I was lucky to catch it early as it did not spread anywhere else. I had surgery to remove the affected testicle and undergo preventive tests on a quarterly basis.My questions are: Could the cancer be caused by the Propecia? I would like to start taking the Propecia again to re-gain what I lost as I am starting to get the dredded “hair ring” around the head. I am 38 and was wondering about fertility since I only have one “factory” left?
Thanks!!
I would ask this question to your oncologist. I highly doubt testicular cancer is caused by Propecia. There are many men who get testicular cancer who are not on Propecia. Most of the time you cannot establish a causal relationship.
With respect to your fertility, I am not the doctor to ask this question to (as I am not a fertility doctor).
The urologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering, a center of excellence for Testicular cancer, now believe that there is a correlation between finasteride and testicular cancer. Specifically, non-seminoma mixed germ cell presenting as Embryonal Carcinoma with Teratoma (immature/mature mix) as primaries, and may include minor yolk sac and/or choriocarcinoma elements. If your pathology report indicated a NSMGCT with primary components EC and TERA, it is possible that finasteride may have accelerated or influenced malignant transformation from existing Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ (GCNIS) lesions. The mechanisms are unclear and a studies are currently being planned to investigate further.