Prostatic cancer is an increasing medical problem. Investigations of the biology of the prostate and the development of prostate cancer have shown that the prostate gland contains high levels of polypeptide growth factors, especially members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family. Activated oncogenes and elevated proto-oncogene activities including ras and myc have been detected in human prostate cancer tissues, but there is no consensus as to the predominant genetic alterations involved in the progression of this disease. In vivo animal models have shown that relevant growth factors and oncogenes can induce both premalignant and malignant changes in prostate tissue. Additional experimental and clinical studies are needed to present a clearer molecular profile of this important malignancy.