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News
A large Swedish study found that men taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) — drugs commonly used for prostate conditions — had a 17% lower relative risk of developing laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC). The findings suggest testosterone may play a role in these cancers, which disproportionately affect men. While the relative risk reduction is notable, the absolute risk reduction remains small.
A large population-based cohort study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that men who used 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) — medications that block testosterone conversion and are commonly prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia — had a significantly lower risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC) compared to non-users. The study drew on Swedish national health registries, tracking over 1.5 million men between 2005 and 2022.
Researchers found that 5-ARI users had a 17% lower relative risk of LHSCC (adjusted HR, 0.83), pointing to a potential hormonal driver behind these cancers, which occur predominantly in men. The protective effect was more pronounced in younger men and those without comorbidities like hypertension or diabetes, though these subgroup differences were not statistically significant.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings open a new avenue for understanding why LHSCC is far more common in men, and could eventually inform prevention strategies — though the absolute risk reduction is low and further research is needed before clinical recommendations change.
