The Role of Y Chromosome in Cancer Growth and Outcomes.

Two studies published in Nature suggest that the Y chromosome could explain why some cancers are more aggressive in men than women. One study found that the loss of the entire Y chromosome in some cells raises the risk of aggressive bladder cancer, while the other found that a particular Y-chromosome gene in mice raises the risk of some colorectal cancers spreading to other parts of the body. The studies suggest that there is a genetic component to the bias towards men in many cancers, beyond lifestyle factors.