Prostatic carcinoma in Egypt: epidemiology and etiology.

In Egypt, the relative frequency of prostatic carcinoma is much lower than elsewhere reported. On the other hand, carcinoma of the male breast shows a strikingly higher frequency. These findings could be related to the prevalent bilharzial infestation which impairs the liver detoxication mechanism. As a result there is an increased estrogen and diminished androgen level. These metabolic changes can contribute to the rarity of prostatic cancer and the high frequency of breast cancer in males.