Prostatic basal cell proliferations

Histopathology

Various basal cell proliferations have been described:

• Usual basal cell hyperplasia; occurs in a context of nodular hyperplasia and therefore forms a nodule. The nodules or cords of basal cells may be solid or form tubules, which may be lined by secretory cells. Nuclei are small and lack prominent nucleoli. Foci of basal cell hyperplasia may occur within atrophic glands.

• Adenoid cystic-like hyperplasia; Older men. Associated with benign hyperplasia. There is usually a well-defined lobular architecture, but focally the nodules are irregular and merge into the adjacent prostatic tissue. Lumina are small and may contain collagenous spherules. Squamous, mucinous and sebaceous metaplasia may be present. Stromal changes include a proliferation of bland spindle cells and myxoid change.

• Adenoid cystic carcinoma; there is a diffusely infiltrative growth pattern. The tumour is cribriform, with extensive glandular anastomoses. Luminal spaces are larger than in adenoid cystic hyperplasia. There may be sebaceous metaplasia, but squamous and mucinous metaplasia are lacking. There is nuclear atypia. Perineural infiltration may be seen. There may be necrosis.

• Basaloid carcinoma; there are nodules of tumour cells with peripheral palisading. There is perineural invasion and neoplastic glands enwrap benign glands.

Immunohistochemistry

References

1McKenney, J. K., M. B. Amin, et al. (2004). "Basal cell proliferations of the prostate other than usual basal cell hyperplasia: a clinicopathologic study of 23 cases, including four carcinomas, with a proposed classification." Am J Surg Pathol 28(10): 1289-98.

2Denholm, S. W., J. N. Webb, et al. (1992). "Basaloid carcinoma of the prostate gland: histogenesis and review of the literature." Histopathology 20(2): 151-5.

This page last revised 4.11.2004.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop