Efficacy and Safety of Testosterone Replacement in Testicular Cancer Survivors With Treatment-Influenced Hypogonadism: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective:

The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of testosterone supplementation in testicular cancer survivors with treatment-related hypogonadism.

Data Sources:

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards and used Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science Core Collection, Korean Journal Index, SciELO, and Global Index Medicus to obtain data in June of 2024.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Analyses evaluating testosterone supplementation in testicular cancer survivors with treatment-induced hypogonadism were included. Any analyses not assessing supplementation in this population or deemed unretrievable were excluded.

Data Synthesis:

Ten analyses were included for analysis. A total of 332 bilateral or unilateral testicular cancer survivors with treatment-influenced hypogonadism were reviewed, with 238 patients receiving testosterone replacement. Eight of the 10 analyses assessed participants without poor quality-of-life (QOL) metrics, metabolic factors, and bone mineral density (BMD) at baseline and only found a significant benefit in fat distribution metrics with testosterone supplementation. Two analyses evaluated participants with poor QOL metrics or BMD at baseline and showed improvements in QOL or BMD with testosterone supplementation.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

There is robust evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of testosterone replacement in hypogonadal individuals but limited evidence specifically evaluating supplementation in testicular cancer survivors with treatment-influenced hypogonadism.

Conclusions:

The results suggest testosterone replacement may be beneficial in patients with impaired QOL metrics, metabolic factors, and BMD at baseline; the results also suggest that routine supplementation for all individuals in this patient population lacks efficacy.