[Pathomorphology of the human prostate gland]

The pathologic processes of the adult human prostatic gland, which consist of regressive and atrophic changes as well as of benign hyperplastic, metaplastic, dysplastic and carcinomatous proliferations, are analysed by light and electron microscopy. The examinations give rise to a new concept of the morphogenesis of each separate lesion. The results show the importance of the prostatic basal cell for the development of the special benign and malignant proliferations of the glandular epithelium. The histologically defined different alterations in the human prostatic gland are the results of the various differentiation possibilities of the basal cell.