Causes of Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Causes: Risk Factors
The following conditions have been cited in various
sources as potentially causal risk factors
related to Prostate Cancer:
Race Patterns for Prostate Cancer Causes:
Racial Details for Prostate Cancer: This disease is much more common in African
American men than in white men. It is less common in Asian
... (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer: NCI)
...more »
Prostate Cancer Causes: Book Excerpts
Prostate Cancer Causes: Male-Female Gender Ratio
Gender of Patients for Prostate Cancer: Male only....more »
Prostate Cancer: Related Medical Conditions
To research the causes of Prostate Cancer, consider researching the causes of these
these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Prostate Cancer:
Prostate Cancer: Causes and Types
Causes of Types of Prostate Cancer: Review the cause informationfor the various types of Prostate Cancer:
- Stages of the cancer:
- Stage I (A) prostate cancer - tumor so small it cannot be felt by a DRE; tumor has not spread.
- Stage II (B) prostate cancer - tumor larger (can be felt by DRE), but has not spread beyond prostrate.
- Stage III (C) prostate cancer - local spreading to tissue near the prostrate.
- Stage IV (D) prostate cancer - spread to lymph nodes or has metastasized to other body areas.
- more types...»
Causes of Broader Categories of Prostate Cancer: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:
Prostate Cancer as a symptom:
Conditions listing Prostate Cancer
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Prostate Cancer.
Our database lists the following as having
Prostate Cancer as a symptom of that condition:
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 1
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 10
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 11
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 12
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 13
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 14
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 15
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 2
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 3
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 4
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 5
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 6
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 7
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 8
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, 9
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, X-linked 1
- Prostate cancer, hereditary, X-linked 2
Medications or substances causing Prostate Cancer:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Prostate Cancer as a symptom.
This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances
may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 11
medications causing Prostate Cancer
What causes Prostate Cancer?
Article excerpts about the
causes of Prostate Cancer:
Some aspects of a man's lifestyle may affect his chances of
developing prostate cancer. For example, some evidence
suggests a link between diet and this disease. These studies
show that prostate cancer is more common in populations that
consume a high-fat diet (particularly animal fat), and in
populations that have diets lacking certain nutrients.
Although it is not known whether a diet low in fat will
prevent prostate cancer, a low-fat diet may have many other
health benefits.
Some research suggests that high levels of testosterone may
increase a man's risk of prostate cancer. The difference
between racial groups in prostate cancer risk could be related
to high testosterone levels, but it also could result from
diet or other lifestyle factors.
Researchers also are looking for changes in genes
that may increase the risk for developing prostate cancer.
They are studying the genes of men who were diagnosed with
prostate cancer at a relatively young age (less than 55 years
old) and the genes of families who have several members with
the disease. Much more work is needed, however, before
scientists can say exactly how changes in these genes are
related to prostate cancer. Men with a family history of
prostate cancer who are concerned about an inherited risk for
this disease should talk with their doctor. The doctor may
suggest seeing a health professional trained in
genetics. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer: NCI)
Medical news summaries relating to Prostate Cancer:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Prostate Cancer:
Related information on causes of Prostate Cancer:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Prostate Cancer may be found in:
Causes of Prostate Cancer: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Prostate Cancer.
Prostatic cancer:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Four factors have been suspected in the development of prostatic cancer: family or racial predisposition, exposure to environmental elements, co-existing sexually transmitted diseases, and endogenous hormonal influence. Eating fat-containing animal products has also been implicated. Although androgens regulate prostate growth and function and may also speed tumor growth, no definite link between increased androgen levels and prostatic cancer has been found. When primary prostatic lesions metastasize, they typically invade the prostatic capsule and spread along the ejaculatory ducts in the space between the seminal vesicles or perivesicular fascia.
Incidence is highest in Blacks and lowest in Asians. In fact, Black Americans have the highest prostate cancer incidence in the world and are considered at high risk for the disease. Incidence also increases with age more rapidly than any other cancer.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Benign prostatic hyperplasia:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Evidence suggests a link between BPH and hormonal activity. As males age, production of androgenic hormones decreases, causing an imbalance in androgen and estrogen levels, and high levels of dihydrotestosterone, the main prostatic intracellular androgen. Other causes include neoplasm, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, inflammation, and metabolic or nutritional disturbances.
Whatever the cause, BPH begins with changes in periurethral glandular tissue. As the prostate enlarges, it may extend into the bladder and obstruct urinary outflow by compressing or distorting the prostatic urethra. BPH may also cause a pouch to form in the bladder that retains urine when the rest of the bladder empties. This retained urine may lead to calculus formation or cystitis.
The likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate increases with age. A small amount of prostate enlargement is present in many males older than age 40 and more than 90% of males older than age 80. It’s estimated that by 2006, 115 million men age 50 and older will develop BPH. Blacks, with an incidence rate of 224.3 cases per 100,000 people, are at the greatest risk, present with more advanced disease, and have a poorer diagnosis. Whites, by comparison, have an incidence of 150.3 cases per 100,000 people while Asians have an incidence of 82.2 cases per 100,000 people.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Introduction: Malignant Neoplasms:
What causes cancer?
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Researchers have found that cancer develops from mutations within the genes of cells. Thus, cancer is a genetic disease. Cancer susceptibility genes are of two types. Some are oncogenes, which activate cell division and influence embryonic development, and some are tumor suppressor genes, which halt cell division.
These genes are typically found in normal human cells, but certain kinds of mutations may transform the normal cells. Inherited defects may cause a genetic mutation, whereas exposure to a carcinogen may cause an acquired mutation. Current evidence indicates that carcinogenesis results from a complex interaction of carcinogens and accumulated mutations in several genes.
In animal studies of the ability of viruses to transform cells, some human viruses exhibit carcinogenic potential. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
High-frequency radiation, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, damages the genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), possibly inducing genetically transferable abnormalities. Other factors, such as a person's tissue type and hormonal status, interact to potentiate radiation's carcinogenic effect. Examples of substances that may damage DNA and induce carcinogenesis include:
❑alkylating agents — leukemia
❑aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene (from polluted air) — lung cancer
❑asbestos — mesothelioma of the lung
❑tobacco — cancer of the lung, oral cavity and upper airways, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder
❑vinyl chloride — angiosarcoma of the liver.
Diet has also been implicated, especially in the development of GI cancer as a result of a high animal fat diet. Additives composed of nitrates and certain methods of food preparation — particularly charbroiling — are also recognized factors.
The role of hormones in carcinogenesis is still controversial, but it seems that excessive use of some hormones, especially estrogen, produces cancer in animals. Also, the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol causes vaginal cancer in some daughters of women who were treated with it. It's unclear, however, whether changes in human hormonal balance retard or stimulate cancer development.
Some forms of cancer and precancerous lesions result from genetic predisposition either directly (as in Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma) or indirectly (in association with inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or immunodeficiency diseases). Expressed as autosomal recessive, X-linked, or autosomal dominant disorders, their common characteristics include:
❑early onset of malignant disease
❑increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eighth cranial nerve [acoustic neuroma])
❑increased incidence of multiple primary malignancies in nonpaired organs
❑abnormal chromosome complement in tumor cells.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Prostatitis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
About 80% of bacterial prostatitis cases result from infection by Escherichia coli; the rest are due to infection by Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, or Staphylococcus. These organisms probably spread to the prostate by the bloodstream or from ascending urethral infection, invasion of rectal bacteria via lymphatics, reflux of infected bladder urine into the prostate ducts or, less commonly, infrequent or excessive sexual intercourse or such procedures as cystoscopy or catheterization. Chronic prostatitis usually results from bacterial invasion from the urethra.
It’s estimated that 2 of every 10,000 people who seek outpatient care do so because of prostatitis. As many as 35% of males older than age 50 have chronic prostatitis; about 50% of males will be diagnosed with prostatitis at some point in their lives.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Malignant spinal neoplasms:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Primary tumors of the spinal cord may be extramedullary (occurring outside the spinal cord) or intramedullary (occurring within the cord itself). Extramedullary tumors may be intradural (meningiomas and schwannomas), which account for 60% of all primary malignant spinal cord neoplasms, or extradural (metastatic tumors from breasts, lungs, prostate, leukemia, or lymphomas), which account for 25% of these malignant neoplasms.
Intramedullary tumors, or gliomas (astrocytomas or ependymomas), are comparatively rare, accounting for only about 10%. In children, they're low-grade astrocytomas.
Spinal cord tumors are rare compared with intracranial tumors (ratio of 1:4). They occur equally in men and women, with the exception of meningiomas, which occur mostly in women. Spinal cord tumors can occur anywhere along the length of the cord or its roots.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Prostate Abnormality:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
❑ Benign prostatic hypertrophy
❑ Acute bacterial prostatitis
❑ Chronic prostatitis
❑ Adenocarcinoma
❑ Prostatic calculus
❑ Prostatic abscess
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Prostatic cancer:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Although androgens regulate prostate growth and function and may also speed tumor growth, no definite link between increased androgen levels and prostatic cancer has been found. When primary prostatic lesions metastasize, they typically invade the prostatic capsule and spread along the ejaculatory ducts in the space between the seminal vesicles or perivesicular fascia.
Prostatic cancer accounts for about 18% of all cancers. The incidence is highest in Blacks and lowest in Asians. Incidence also increases with age more rapidly than any other cancer.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Benign prostatic hyperplasia:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Recent evidence suggests a link between BPH and hormonal activity. As men age, production of androgenic hormones decreases, causing an imbalance in androgen and estrogen levels and high levels of dihydrotestosterone, the main prostatic intracellular androgen. Other causes include neoplasm, arteriosclerosis, inflammation, and metabolic or nutritional disturbances.
Whatever the cause, BPH begins with changes in periurethral glandular tissue. As the prostate enlarges, it may extend into the bladder and obstruct urinary outflow by compressing or distorting the prostatic urethra. BPH may also cause a pouch to form in the bladder that retains urine when the rest of the bladder empties. This retained urine may lead to calculus formation or cystitis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Prostatitis:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
About 80% of bacterial prostatitis cases result from infection by Escherichia coli; the rest, from infection by Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudo-monas, Streptococcus, or Staphylococcus. These organisms probably spread to the prostate by the bloodstream or from ascending urethral infection, invasion of rectal bacteria via lymphatics, reflux of infected bladder urine into prostate ducts or, less commonly, infrequent or excessive sexual intercourse or such procedures as cystoscopy or catheterization. Chronic prostatitis usually results from bacterial invasion from the urethra. It’s a major cause of recurrent UTI in men.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Go inside the body to see how prostate cancer forms and spreads.
Treatment options for prostate cancer.
Tests and procedures to detect prostate cancer.
Can creams and lotions restore your youthful appearance?
See full list of 4 related videos
» Next page:
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
