Causes of prostate cancer in men

Many readers are still unfamiliar with prostate cancer. In fact, prostate cancer is a common male malignancy that can cause great harm to patients. So, what are the causes of prostate cancer in men? The editor consulted experts, and the following are the experts' answers.

1. Chromosome mutation: Chromosome mutation is common in prostate cancer, and can be manifested by loss of heterosis, allele loss, gene amplification, and chromosome rearrangement.

2. Tumor genes and tumor suppressor genes. The occurrence and malignant progression of prostate cancer is caused by changes in specific gene groups in DNA, which lead to the accumulation of DNA damage. DNA point mutations, local gene amplification, overexpression of cellular RNA or protein, chromosome translocation and gene rearrangement can all activate oncogenes or cover them, inactivate tumor suppressor genes and cause carcinogenesis.

3. DNA methylation. DNA methylation is an early manifestation of solid cancer, and prostate cancer is no exception. Methylation of glutamine-S-transferase gene, androgen receptor promoter gene, etc. in prostate cancer cells increases the tumor susceptibility of cells.

4. Age, family heredity and race are definite risk factors for the disease. Fatty diet, hormones, vitamins, trace elements and vasectomy are possible or potential risk factors.

5. Normal prostate epithelium is in a balance between low-level cell proliferation and apoptosis, with no net growth. The cell renewal cycle is about 500 days, maintaining a relatively stable state, while the growth of prostate cancer depends on this balance tilting toward cell proliferation.