[Testicular morphology in the early and late stages of prostatic cancer]

A total of 31 biopsy specimens in patients with cancer of the prostate (18 with I and II stages and 13 with III and IV stages of the disease) were investigated. The results obtained were collated with those of the control group (22 observations). Involutional changes in the testes in the patients with cancer of the prostate started earlier and were more pronounced than those in the corresponding age of the control group. The testes in the patients with cancer were characterized by a specific mucoid oedema of the intertubular stroma with outcome into sclerosis. At early stages of the cancer hyperplasia and hypertrophy of Leydig' cells were noted. At final stages of the diseases their number normalized. At the same time the number of Sertoli's cells increased and signs indicating to intensification of their activity appeared.