Steroid Effects on Prostate Gland

Prostate gland is sensitive to different hormonal actions and is able to absorb selectively male and female sex hormones. Here binding of androgens occurs in androgen-dependent part of prostate gland and binding of estrogens occurs in estrogen-dependent part.

Androgens in prostate gland are not accumulated, instead they are rapidly transformed. Estrogens remain mainly unchanged. Steroid hormones of all classes are transported via blood plasma in form of protein complex. Blood contains estradiol. It binds beta globulin and is able to bind steroids having hydroxyl. Unlike peptidic hormones, which act on level of external cell membranes, steroid hormones enter cells and do bind with specific protein receptor congenerous; with this steroid.

It is not established yet how do sex hormones enter the target- cells. Partially is important a simple diffusion due to positive gradient of concentration. However, this is not main way of entering. There was obtained data about mechanisms of specific transportation of steroid hormones into prostate gland cells.

With the help of mechanism, which is based on binding steroids with surface of specific carrier, testosterone may be transported against gradient of concentration in higher amounts than are usually found in male blood. A binded steroid penetrates from cytoplasm in nucleus where it reacts with chromatin and DNA, induces synthesis of messenger RNA and amenable ferment proteins responsable for hormone properties.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Modern diagnostic techniques help to detect more patients with prostate cancer at early stage.

Among men with oncological diseases this pathology is most common, and 10% cases of cancer end with death. Risk of malignant changes in prostate tissues are connected with male age.

Most cases of prostate cancer occurs in males over 75. Prostate cancer has lasting symptom-free course, therefore more than 40% males aged 40 -50 are found accidentally when patient consults the doctor about other diseases.

Though cancer is a very common disease among older men, however causes of prostate cancer are not known today.

It was revealed that for appearing of malignant growth is required combination of degenerative and regenerative processes caused by chronic inflammations, dystrophy, trauma, chronic diseases.

It was proved that chronic prostatitis, caused usually by untreated inflammations in pelvic organs, is a true precancerous condition on the back of which often appears epithelial cells neoplasia.

Male sex hormones encourage growth and development of prostate gland cells. On the ground of this there was proposed a theory of formation of atypical prostate cells with hypersecretion of androgens.

It is established that amount of androgens in blood increase with age and it has its explanation. The number of different diseases leading to breakdown of androgens synthesis control also increase with age.

Prostate Cancer

 Prostate cancer is a cancerous growth that more frequently occurs in middle-aged males. Last years the number of prostate cancer cases is increased. This disease is one of most common among oncological diseases . 25% of new cancer cases in men is prostate cancer.  Despite development of new diagnosis methods and effective treatments, many men go to see the doctor just when the disease gives metastases.

At early stages prostate cancer may course without symptoms. The disease shows itself when tumor is spread beyond prostate gland and gives metastasis. Patient suffers from:
- pains in rump, crotch, scrotum, penis head
- difficult urination
- blood in urine
Difficult urination is associated with spread of tumor into urethra which leads to its narrowing. Blood in urine occurs when tumor presses veins of neck of urinary bladder. If the disease gave metastasis (as a rule, in the bones) then in spots of affection do appear pains of various intensity.
There exist many factors that help to developing prostate cancer:
hormonal disorders
heredity
age
food
geography
environment
bad habots (alcohol, smoking)

As you know, prostate cancer is a hormonal disease. Although the role of hormones is not studied yet, it is known that increased number of androgens may lead to disease development. Heredity plays not last role. It has been proved that there exists genetic predisposition to prostate cancer: if the disease occured in nearest relatives then all males in this family have great chances to disease with prostate cancer.

It is considered that prostate cancer occurs in men over 60 years. However, today is observed tendency for “rejuvenation” of the disease – today cancer is frequently diagnosed in men of 40 – 50 years
Food plays a particular role in prostate cancer development. Males consuming excess amount of fats are most predisposed to the prostate cancer than those who consume less fats and take foods rich with fiber.

Highest mortality from prostate cancer occurs on the north where climate is cold and there is few ultra violet rays providing Vitamin D that helps to prevent from diseae development. Therefore in southern countries prostate cancer occurs rarely than in Russia, Canada, Sweden.