Prostate cancer
Prostate is a male sexual gland of usual size 4x3x2 cm, located under the urinary bladder and encircles the upper section of the urethra. Its product is a clear secretion containing the nutrients required to ensure the motility of sperms. During orgasm the secretion is expelled into urethra mixing with sperm produced in testicles. Development of prostate cells – healthy as well as cancer cells is testosterone dependent. The hormone is produced especially in testicles as well as in suprarenal glands and is supplied to prostate by blood. Most frequent affections of the prostate include: prostate inflammation, benign hyperplasia, prostate cancer.1. Benign prostate hypertrophy (BHP)
BHP is very frequent; almost one in two men aged more than 50 has some symptoms of BHP. It is assumed that if all men at the age above 70 were examined, there would be as high as 90% chance that a benign affection of prostate would be discovered. In this non-malignant disorder the prostate is enlarged by excessive proliferation of the prostatic cells. The prostate grows by dividing cell, compressing the urethra and causing problems during urination, which may lead to significant complications such as reduced kidney function and urinary infection. This disease never results in prostatic cancer; however it may coincide with cancer of prostate.
2. Prostate cancer
World-wide prostatic cancer is considered the fourth most common malignant disease in men. In developed countries prostatic cancer is one of the most common neoplastic disorder. In 2006, almost 350,000 men were diagnosed with this disease, i.e. among European men this is the most common malignant disease. In the U.S. more than 200,000 new cases of prostatic cancer are diagnosed each year. In the U.S., prostatic cancer is the second most common neoplastic disorder, second only to skin cancer. Most frequently it occurs after the age of 50, when it amounts to 15% of all cancer cases. The incidence of prostatic cancer is on the rise. Highest incidence is observed after the age of 50. At the time of diagnosis of the prostate cancer more than 80% men are 65 and older.
The exact cause of the prostate cancer is unknown. Several risk factors are suspected to play role in its pathogenesis. Age is a significant risk factor. The incidence of prostate cancer grows with age. It is assumed that prostate cells in elderly men have longer been exposed to the effects of the male sexual hormone – testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for development of secondary sexual features during adolescence, later it supports the growth of prostate cells responsible for BHP and growth of cancer cells leading to prostate cancer. Another risk factor is the family history. A family history of prostate cancer increases the risk two to three fold. An important role in the etiology and in prevention of not only prostate cancer but also other types of cancer is played by diet. A diet rich in broccoli, tomatoes, other vegetables, fruits, fiber, soy, tofu, vitamin E, selenium may have a protective effect. On the other hand, diet rich in animal fat is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. There is a direct relation between obesity and prostate cancer. Further risk factors include smoking, environmental conditions, hormonal changes (this disorder does not develop after castration), alcohol.
Carcinogenic effects result in pathological changes of prostate cells, resulting in malignant transformation and growth of the tumor. Cancer cells may spread throughout the body in form of metastases.
Indole-3-carbinol has a potential antiproliferative effect in human prostate cancer cells. In 2003, Firestone from University of California conducted a study on the effects of indole-3-carbinol, which confirmed the effect of indole-3-carbinol on blocking of cell cycle at the G1 receptor of the prostate cancer cells.
