Microplastics discovered in prostate tumors
Medical Xpress
February 23, 2026
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Microplastics have been discovered in prostate tumors, with researchers finding these tiny plastic fragments in 9 out of 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. The study, conducted by NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center and its Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, revealed that microplastics were present at higher concentrations within tumors compared to nearby non-cancerous tissue. This groundbreaking research suggests a potential link between exposure to plastics and the development of prostate cancer, highlighting the need for further investigation into how environmental factors might contribute to this disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, according to the American Cancer Society, making this study particularly significant. The presence of microplastics in such high concentrations raises questions about how these tiny particles—often found in everyday items like food packaging, personal care products, and textiles—might accumulate in
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/23/2026