Serum Ionized Calcium And Prostate Cancer Risk

A new study finds that levels of ionized serum calcium may predict the likelihood of dying from prostate cancer. 

The study published in the February 2009 edition of Cancer Biomarkers & Prevention showed that men whose measured serum ionized calcium levels were in the highest third were 3 times more likely to die of prostate cancer as opposed to men whose serum ionized calcium levels were in the lowest third.

The study also showed that men with the highest levels of total serum calcium were 2 times as likely to die from prostate cancer. This confirms a previous finding.

Researchers hope that findings such as these may help patients and doctors decide on the optimal management and treatment after the diagnosis of prostate cancer is made. It remains difficult to accurately predict which men have the more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and which men have less aggressive forms.

Researchers also realize the need to further investigate the link between calcium levels and prostate cancer, both from a diagnostic point of view and possibly from a therapeutic point of view.