ABSTRACT

The two major epithelial components of the benign prostate luminal secretory cells and basal cells, can be identified on routine light microscopy. There is a third minor component of neuroendocrine (NE) cells, which usually can only be identified by immunohistochemical staining for NE markers (chromogranin, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase) and NE products (Figure 15.1), or electron microscopy (Figure 15.2). Prostatic NE cells

are intraglandular and intraductal cells with hybrid epithelial, neural, and endocrine characteristics. They express and secrete 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT; serotonin) and numerous peptides/neuropeptides. Prostate NE cells are widely scattered throughout the prostate with only an occasional cell per gland or duct, but are most consistently found in the periurethral ducts and verumontanum. Among the different zones of the human prostate, the transition and peripheral zones have more abundant NE cells than the central zone, suggesting their potential involvement in benign prostatic

hyperplasia and prostate cancer, respectively.1 A small percentage of human prostates contain numerous NE cells.