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The prostatic perineural space and its relation to tumor spread: an ultrastructural study
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|April 1, 1980
Summary
Electron microscopy revealed prostatic perineural spaces contain blood capillaries, not lymphatics. Tumor cells invade around nerves, suggesting these spaces offer least resistance to cancer spread in the prostate.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pathology
- Electron Microscopy
Background:
- Prostatic perineural invasion is a known phenomenon in prostate cancer.
- The ultrastructural characteristics of prostatic perineural spaces are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural nature of prostatic perineural spaces.
- To determine the vascular and lymphatic components within these spaces.
- To elucidate the mechanism of tumor cell spread via perineural pathways.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was performed on 31 human prostate specimens.
- Specimens included both benign and malignant lesions.
- Detailed ultrastructural analysis of perineural areas was conducted.
Main Results:
- Vascular structures within perineural spaces exhibited characteristics of blood capillaries.
- No lymphatic channels were identified within the studied perineural structures.
- Tumor cell spread was observed via direct extension around prostatic nerves, not through vascular channels.
Conclusions:
- Prostatic perineural spaces primarily contain blood capillaries.
- The absence of lymphatic channels suggests they do not play a role in perineural spread.
- Perineural spaces may represent pathways of least resistance for prostate tumor invasion.