This unique publication illustrates that the prostate elaborates an array of local hormones or "autocoids" and how these influence prostatic growth, function and oncogenesis. It describes how familiarity with these participants and how they effect the character and direction of prostatic function may suggest diagnostic markers of malfunction and new sites and modes of therapeutic intervention. The catholic scope and authorship of the work seeks to integrate the views of those urologists, reproductive physiologists and endocrinologists who presently work with the prostate. It attempts to show all other biologists the full range of the gland's activities and participating molecules. Included are: oncogenes, mitogens, polyamines, prostaglandins, growth factors, antigens, and the familiar steroid, peptide and protein hormones. This volume is unique in its point of view and in the new concepts it presents. Addressed are actions of spermine-binding protein and osteoblastic mitogens, consequences of inhibin/thyrotropin-releasing hormone balance, and urokinase effects. Covered also are androgen modulation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptides, evidence of a prostatolymphoreticular system, secretion of dihydrotestosterone, and a model of the inter-dependence of prostatic epithelium and stroma. This unique new volume is of great value to those in urology, internal medicine, physiology, endocrinology and pharmacology.