Definition: A group of hormone-like substances produced in nature and in your body that are formed from fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid.
Important eicosanoids in cancer growth are prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes. These are all created by your body's cells and function as local hormones (near the cells that create them) to regulate inflammation, blood pressure, blood sugar and more.
Cancer patients are affected directly because cancer produces inflammation. Treatments and infections can also cause an inflammatory response that often requires treatment.
Eicosanoid production and function can be beneficially altered by drugs and dietary intake of fatty acids, including those from omega-3 fish oil.
Pronunciation: eye-KOH-sah-noids
Common Misspellings: icosanoids
Examples: Cancer creates inflammation in your body, which is caused by increased production of eicosanoids called prostaglandins.
