Premium
Phytoestrogens and prostate cancer: possible preventive role
Author(s) -
Stephens Frederick O,
Unit Oncology
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1997.tb138812.x
Subject(s) - phytoestrogens , prostate cancer , medicine , cancer , prostatectomy , prostate , adenocarcinoma , adverse effect , oncology , incidence (geometry) , urology , estrogen , physics , optics
Phytoestrogens are biologically active plant compounds with both oestrogenic and antioestrogenic actions, and communities whose diets are rich in phytoestrogens have a lower incidence of prostate cancer. A 66‐year‐old man took phytoestrogen 160 mg (4x40‐mg tablets) daily for one week before radical prostatectomy for moderately high‐grade adenocarcinoma. The resected specimen showed prominent apoptosis, typical of a response to high‐dose oestrogen therapy and suggestive of tumour regression. There were no adverse side effects. Studies of the effects of phytoestrogens in prostate cancer may be warranted.