Focal neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic gland carcinoma with basaloid pattern

Prostatic gland basal cell proliferations exhibit morphological continuum ranging from basal cell hyperplasia to basal cell carcinoma. In the following report, we described clinical features, morphological spectrum, neuroendocrine differentiation and histogenesis of prostatic gland basal cell carcinoma in our patient.

Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Alcian blu-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) at pH 2.5 stained sections and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC), were performed on prostate gland paraffin-embedded tissue. Monoclonal antibodies directed against cytokeratin (34betaE12) which selectively stains basal cells, prostate specific antigen (PSA), chromogranine A, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin and CD56, were used. Basal cell proliferations exhibited a morphological continuum ranging from basal cell hyperplasia to prostatic gland carcinoma. In these prostatic lesions, positive reactivity was demonstrated for 34betaE12 and CD56. These findings indicate that the basaloid cells of basal cell hyperplasia, florid basal cell hyperplasia, atypical basal cell hyperplasia and basal cell carcinoma are derived from basal cells of the normal prostate gland suggesting a continuum in the progression of hyperplasia to benign and then malignant neoplasia. The presence of CD56 protein in the discovered lesions may be related to their neuroendocrine differentiation.

The fact, that our patient was well six years after the radical prostatectomy supports the belief of some authors that basal cell carcinoma represents a low grade carcinoma with an excellent prognosis.