Circulating Sex Hormones and Risk of Colorectal Adenomas and Serrated Lesions in Men

Abstract

Background: Sex hormones have been implicated in the etiology of colorectal neoplasia in women for over 40 years, but there has been very little investigation of the role of these hormones in men. Methods: Using data from an adenoma chemoprevention trial, we conducted a secondary analysis to examine serum hormone levels [testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)] and risk of colorectal precursors in 925 men. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to evaluate adjusted associations between hormone levels and risk of "low-risk" (single tubular adenoma < 1 cm) and "highrisk" lesions (advanced adenoma or sessile serrated adenoma or right-sided serrated polyp or <2 adenomas of any size). Results: Overall, levels of free testosterone, total testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS, or SHBG were not associated with either "low-risk" or "high-risk" early precursor lesions in the colorectum. Conclusions: These findings do not support the role of sex hormones in early colorectal neoplasia among men.