Cancer

Lycopene Effective with Prostate Cancer Treatment

By: Darin Ingels

Men with prostate cancer who take supplemental lycopene inaddition to surgical removal of the testicles may experience lessactive disease, less bone pain, and live longer than those who onlyhave surgical removal of the testicles, according to a new study inBritish Journal of Urology International (2003;92:375-8).This is exciting news for millions of men who have to undergoaggressive treatment for advanced prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men over theage of 50 years, with more than 200,000 new cases each year in theUnited States. The cause of prostate cancer, like many othercancers, is unknown; however, some studies suggest alterations intestosterone metabolism may play a role in its development.Prostate cancer is generally slow growing and may not cause anysymptoms until late in the disease. Symptoms may include frequentor painful urination, dribbling after urination, sensation ofincomplete emptying of the bladder, or blood in the urine. Thesymptoms of prostate cancer are similar to those of a non-cancerouscondition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), so menexperiencing these symptoms should consult their physician for anaccurate diagnosis.

In the new study, 54 men with advanced prostate cancer wererandomly assigned to have surgical removal of the testicles(orchidectomy) alone or orchidectomy plus oral supplementation with4 mg of lycopene a day. Measurements of PSA (a blood marker ofprostate cancer activity), bone scans, and urinary flow were takeninitially and every three months for two years. Men receivinglycopene started on the day of their surgery.

After six months, PSA had significantly decreased in bothgroups, indicating a reduction in prostate cancer 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 thenormal range, while those who only underwent surgery still had PSAlevels more than twice the upper limit of normal. Urinary symptomssignificantly improved in both groups, but better improvement wasagain observed in the lycopene group. The lycopene group alsoexperienced less bone pain.

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

The findings of this study corroborate the findings of othersimilar studies examining the effectiveness of lycopene in thetreatment of prostate cancer. However, the amount used in thecurrent study (4 mg per day) was substantially less than theamounts used in other studies (30 mg per day). It may also helpstimulate the immune system and has been shown to cause cancercells to die on their own. Although more research is needed toclarify what amount of lycopene is most effective, men withprostate cancer may benefit from taking daily lycopene supplements.Eating one moderately sized tomato a day also providesapproximately 4 mg of lycopene. Other tomato products, such as an8-ounce portion of tomato juice or tomato paste may provide up to25 mg of lycopene.
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Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor's degreefrom Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicinefrom Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author ofThe Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) andNatural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currentlyis in private practice at New England Family Health Associateslocated in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmentalmedicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor toVitamin Herb University.

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