Flow cytometric DNA analysis of fine-needle aspirates of prostatic benign lesions

Fine-needle aspiration samples from 54 consecutive patients suffering from prostatic benign lesions were analyzed for both cytological diagnosis and DNA cell content, by means of standard cytological criteria and flow cytometry, respectively. Of these patients, 13 displayed prostatitis: three being classified as acute prostatitis, 7 as chronic and 3 as granulomatosous prostatitis. All cases had a diploid DNA cell content, with a mean percentage of S-phase cells of 1.8 +/- 2.7%. Although no major differences were detected between patients with and without prostatitis, the former group had a slightly higher proportion of S-phase cells (1.4 +/- 2.2% vs 2.7 +/- 3.7%). Moreover, within those patients with prostatitis, acute prostatitis cases showed the highest proliferation rates although differences did not reach statistical significance.