Hypothetic association between greater sympathetic activity and prostate cancer.

Among men, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed, and the second leading cause of death from cancer in the industrialized countries. In spite of substantial progress in research, diagnosis and treatment, the causes of prostate cancer remain largely unknown. In this paper, we propose the hypothesis that prostate cancer represents another entity in the constellation of disease incited by the greater sympathetic activity that develops with age. However, the specific mechanisms of changes of increased prostatic cell proliferation and carcinogenesis caused by the autonomic nervous system have not yet been clarified. In regard to this matter, future studies should outline a more complete mechanism.