The Role of the Environment in Endocrine Cancers

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) constitute exogenous agents which enter the body via food intake, inhalation, or direct contact. In addition to the lifelong exposure to environmental EDCs, a transplacental transfer seems to be also an important route. EDCs affect various aspects of the endocrine system leading to endocrine dysfunction. In addition, EDCs are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer in general, and endocrine cancer (EC) in particular. The association of EDCs with EC is mediated through their effects on immune balance, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of them basic components in carcinogenesis. Besides, some EDCs present with a hormone-like activity acting on nuclear (genomic) and transmembrane receptors (nongenomic) leading to EC. The exact role of EDCs on EC development and/or its evolution is very complicated and has not been fully clarified, due to the complex and multifactorial pathogenesis of cancer and its lifelong manifestation. Although a quite large body of evidence support the role of EDCs in the pathogenesis of various endocrine disorders and some types of EC, there is limited evidence on their role in gonadal and adrenal cancer.