Role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer initiation and progression

The nervous system plays an important role in cancer initiation and progression. Accumulated evidences clearly show that the sympathetic nervous system exerts stimulatory effects on carcinogenesis and cancer growth. However, the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer has been much less elucidated. Whereas retrospective studies in vagotomized patients and experiments employing vagotomized animals indicate the parasympathetic nervous system has an inhibitory effect on cancer, clinical studies in patients with prostate cancer indicate it has stimulatory effects. Therefore, the aim of this paper is a critical evaluation of the available data related to the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer.

Automated summary

The nervous system plays a crucial role in cancer initiation and progression. While the sympathetic nervous system stimulates carcinogenesis and cancer growth, the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer is less clear, with studies suggesting both inhibitory and stimulatory effects. This paper aims to critically evaluate the available data on the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cancer.