UNDERSTANDING PROSTATE CANCER: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS MECHANISMS, TREATMENTS, AND THE EMERGING ROLE OF NATURAL COMPOUNDS

Prostate cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed malignancies in men and remains a major contributor to cancer-related morbidity worldwide, particularly in ageing populations. Despite advances in screening and therapeutic strategies, challenges related to disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and treatment-associated adverse effects persist. This review critically examines the aetiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved in prostate cancer development and progression. Established treatment modalities, including surgery, radiotherapy, androgen-deprivation therapy, and chemotherapy, are discussed with emphasis on their clinical utility and limitations. In addition, emerging evidence on biologically active natural compounds is evaluated as a complementary area of research. Natural agents such as curcumin, quercetin, and red sea moss-derived constituents have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and pro-apoptotic activities in experimental models of prostate cancer. However, the majority of supporting data remains preclinical, with limited and inconsistent clinical validation. This review highlights the importance of distinguishing evidence-based therapies from investigational and supportive approaches. It further emphasises the need for well-designed translational and clinical studies to assess the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic relevance of integrating natural compounds with conventional treatment regimens. This synthesis provides a focused framework to guide future research priorities and optimise evidence-based prostate cancer management strategies worldwide clinically.