Morphogenetic concepts of normal and abnormal growth in the human prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are multifactorial disease processes, involving a growing number of biochemical, genetic and epigenetic factors. Their pathogenesis, however, remains poorly understood. The present review examines current morphogenetic concepts of normal and abnormal growth in the human prostate. This includes the role of basal cells in organogenesis and cancerogenesis, the impact of cell-matrix interactions, and the importance of cellular heterogeneity in tumour progression and hormone-insensitive growth. Knowledge of morphogenesis and morphology is required in any scientific approach to BPH and prostate cancer.