Independent origin of multiple foci of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract

Our findings indicate that multiple foci of PIN arise independently within the same prostate. This observation suggests that a field effect underlies prostatic neoplasia. Multiple foci of prostate carcinoma also often arise independently, lending additional support for this hypothesis. The strong genetic similarities between PIN and prostate carcinoma strongly suggest that evolution and clonal expansion of PIN may account for the multifocal etiology of carcinomas.