Zinc and cadmium concentration in prostatic carcinoma of different histological grading in comparison to normal prostate tissue and adenofibromyomatosis (BPH).

Zn and Cd concentrations in tissue of normal prostate gland, BPH and prostatic carcinoma of different histological grades have been determined by atomic absorption spectrometry before therapy. We found a distinct biological antagonistic effect between Zn and Cd in the human prostate gland. We have seen an increasing amount of Zn in BPH, but a decrease in prostatic cancer. In contrast, we found a continuous increase of cadmium concentration from the normal prostate via BPH through carcinoma.