Morphogenesis of prostatic carcinoma

Abstract

On review of microscopic sections from 233 cancerous prostates and 60 benign glands, distinctive epithelial changes often were seen in the benign ducts associated with carcinoma. These changes were different in different morphologic types of carcinoma. In one type (68 cases) there was often persistence of a youthful-appearing epithelium at an age where atrophy is expected. This epithelium showed areas of characteristic premalignant change and carcinoma in situ. In another type (60 cases) the benign epithelium showed mild atrophy, a distinctive histologic appearance and apparent origin of carcinoma in nodular areas of acinar proliferation. There were 105 carcinomas, mostly large undifferentiated tumors in which no system of classification or premalignant change could be found. In contrast to previous reports, carcinoma seldom seemed to arise from markedly atrophic epithelium. A relationship between prolonged androgenic stimulation and the development of carcinoma in the prostate is suggested.