Prostate cancer pathophysiology

Understand the pathophysiology underlying the clinical symptoms associated with prostate cancer. 

FIGURE 89-1. The prostate gland. (From Kolesar JM. Prostate cancer. In DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, et al, (eds.) Pharmacotherapy A Pathophysiologic Approach. 6th ed. New York McGraw-Hill 2005 2423.)... 

Acid phosphatases are enzymes that have been studied extensively due to the fact that their dysregulation is associated with pathophysiological conditions. This characteristic has been exploited for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. As an example, prostatic acid phosphatase was the first marker for metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis and the dysregulation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase is associated with abnormal bone resorption linked to osteoporosis. 

Hiccup is a forceful, involuntary inspiration commonly experienced by fetuses, children, and adults. Its purpose is unknown, and its pathophysiology still poorly understood. Short hiccup bouts are mostly associated with gastric distention or alcohol intake. They resolve spontaneously or with simple folk remedies and do not require medical attention. In contrast, prolonged hiccup is a rare but disabling condition that can induce depression, weight loss, and sleep deprivation. A wide variety of pathological conditions can cause chronic hiccup myocardial infarction, brain tumor, renal failure, prostate cancer, and abdominal surgery are only a few of these conditions. 

Parker C, Milosevic M, Toi A, Sweet J, Panzarella T, Bristow R, Catton C, Catton P, Crook J, Gospodarowicz M, McLean M, Warde P, Hill RP (2004) Polarographic electrode study of tumor oxygenation in clinically localized prostate cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 58 750-757 Paschen W (1985) Regional qiuintitative determination of lactate in brain sections. A bioluminescent approach. J Cerebral Blood Flow Metab 5 609-612 Paschen W, Djuricic B, Mies G, Schmidt-Kastner R, Linn F (1987) Lactate and pH in the brain Association and dissociation in different pathophysiological states. J Neuro-chem 48 154-159... 

It was observed that people with low carotenoid intake or low blood levels have an increased risk of degenerative diseases. In a number of these diseases free radical damage plays a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Earlier studies were focused mainly on p-carotene and the lycopene protective effect against prostate and lung cancer, but there is as yet no definitive proof for a causal relationship or for a beneficial antioxidant effect of carotenoids. 

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