Intraoperative Imaging Blog

Prostate cancer occurs when certain prostate cells change their structure, become malignant and begin to multiply uncontrollably, causing an increase in the size of the gland and with it the possibility of plugging the urethra or bladder. These cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body like bones and lymph nodes, resulting in metastasis. Prostate cancer tends to be multifocal and often affects the glandular capsule, which facilitates its expansion into the periphery.

The prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system, located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. With a variable size, like a ping pong ball, partially surrounds the urethra and secretes a fluid that forms part of semen.

Causes and mechanisms

The incidence of prostate cancer has increased over 100% in the last 10 years. Among the possible factors that have caused an increase in the incidence of this cancer are:

The aging population, improved diagnosis, improved diagnostic techniques, greater outreach, new screening techniques, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, hereditary footprint, the presence of certain metals such as cadmium in the components industry, obesity, etc.

There is evidence that the development of prostate cancer would be related to high levels of certain hormones, especially androgen such as testosterone, that increase the chances of developing this cancer.

Some research has found that high levels of the hormone insulin growth factor also predispose people to this.

In recent years, scientists have made great strides in understanding how certain changes in DNA sequence can cause prostate cells grow abnormally and develop cancer. Some genes contain instructions that control cell growth and division. Cancers can be caused by a DNA mutation that activates oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes inhibit.

Some people develop certain types of cancer because they inherit from their parents DNA mutations. Research has found that inherited DNA changes in certain genes cause some men develop prostate cancer more likely. These genetic changes can cause about 5 to 10% of these prostate cancers.

Each time a cell prepares to divide into two new ones, must make a copy of your DNA. This process is not perfect and errors occur. Fortunately, cells have repair enzymes that correct these defects in the DNA, although some errors can go unnoticed, especially in cell division giving the DNA a mutation in these cells.

Among the causes mentioned in the chance of developing prostate cancer the first thing is the age factor, since past 50 years multiply cases. Other factors that influence its development are race, geographic distribution and lifestyle. Blacks are 70% greater chance of developing the disease than whites of the same continent, and on the other side affects developed countries in Europe and North America and is lower incidence in Asia.