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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Cancer is a group of abnormal cells that grow more rapidly than normal cells and that refuse to die. Cancer cells also have the ability to invade and destroy normal tissues, either by growing directly into surrounding structures or after traveling to another part of your body through your bloodstream or lymph system (metastasize). Microscopic cancer cells develop into small clusters that continue to grow, becoming more densely packed and hard.
What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown. Research suggests that a combination of factors may play a role, including heredity, ethnicity, hormones, diet and the environment.
- Wilson WG et al. Abeloff: Clinical Oncology, 3rd ed. Prostate Cancer. Ch 87
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2008, 10th ed. Prostate Cancer.
- Small EJ. Prostate cancer (2007) Goldman: Cecil Medicine, 23rd ed. Chapter 211.
- National Cancer Institute. PC-SPES, Patient version (9/21/07). Accessed online, 1/20/08: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/pc-spes
- Gaziano JM, et al. Vitamins E and C in the prevention of prostate and total cancer in men: The physicians' health study II randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/2008.862v1. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Lippman SM, et al. Effect of selenium and vitamin E on risk of prostate cancer and other cancer: The selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial (SELECT). Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/2008.864v1. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 2, 2009.
