Quantitative topographic distribution of epithelial and mesenchymal components in benign prostatic hypertrophy

Excised tissue of benign prostatic hyperplasia from 15 men 60-89 years old was investigated by immunohistochemistry and specific histological staining. For each adenoma, 10 tissue sections (2-5 specimens per lobe according to its volume) were analyzed by computer-assisted image analysis (SAMBA 2002). There was evidence for a high ratio of stroma to glands: the mean proportions of glandular, muscular and fibrous areas were respectively 30.4, 14.9 and 54.7%. Each adenoma presented a homogeneous structure, but the proportions of the three tissue components differed significantly among adenomas (p < 0.001). These findings incite us to consider biopsy as a possible investigation of the morphology of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and thus we could choose an adequate therapy according to histologic composition.