Lycopene Effective With Prostate Cancer Treatment

Lycopene Effective With Treatment
By Darin Ingels

Men with who take supplemental lycopene in
addition to surgical removal of the testicles may experience
less active disease, less bone pain, and live longer than those
who only have surgical removal of the testicles, according to a
new study in British Journal of Urology
International(2003;92:375–8). This is exciting news for millions
of men who have to  undergo aggressive treatment for advanced
prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men over the
age of 50 years, with more than 200,000 new cases each year  in
the United States. The cause of prostate cancer, like many other
cancers, is unknown; however, some studies suggest  alterations
in testosterone metabolism may play a role in its development.
Prostate cancer is generally slow growing and may  not cause any
symptoms until late in the disease. Symptoms may include
frequent or painful urination, dribbling after  urination,
sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder, or blood in the
urine. The symptoms of are  similar to those of
a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH), so men experiencing these symptoms  should consult their
physician for an accurate diagnosis.

In the new study, 54 men with advanced were
randomly assigned to have surgical removal of the testicles
(orchidectomy) alone or orchidectomy plus oral supplementation
with 4 mg of lycopene a day. Measurements of PSA (a blood marker
of activity), bone scans, and urinary flow were
taken initially and every three months for two years.  Men
receiving lycopene started on the day of their surgery.

After six months, PSA had significantly decreased in both
groups, indicating a reduction in activity.
However, PSA levels in those receiving lycopene were more than
65% lower than in those who did not receive lycopene. After two
years, PSA levels in the lycopene treatment group had fallen
into

the normal range, while those who only underwent surgery
still had PSA levels more than twice the upper limit of normal.
Urinary symptoms significantly improved in both groups, but
better improvement was again observed in the lycopene group. The
lycopene group also experienced less bone pain.  

The survival rates after two years in the lycopene-plus-surgery
group and surgery-only groups were 87% and 78%, respectively, a
statistically significant difference. No adverse side effects
were observed in men taking lycopene.LycopeneLycopene is one of
a group of compounds called carotenoids. It is found in high
amounts in tomatoes. 

The findings of this study corroborate the findings of other
similar studies examining the effectiveness of lycopene in the
treatment of prostate cancer. However, the amount used in the
current study (4 mg per day) was substantially less than the
amounts used in other studies (30 mg per day). It may also help
stimulate the immune system and has been shown to cause cancer
cells to die on their own. Although more research is needed to
clarify what amount of lycopene is most effective, men with
prostate cancer may benefit from taking daily lycopene
supplements. Eating one moderately sized tomato a day also
provides approximately 4 mg of lycopene. Other tomato products,
such as an 8-ounce portion of tomato juice or tomato paste may
provide up to 25 mg of lycopene.

About the Author: Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his
bachelors degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of
Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr.
Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering
Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High
Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice
at New England Family Health Associates

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