Morphogenetic aspects of normal and abnormal prostatic growth.
Studies of cancerogenesis in the human prostate have been hampered by a number of factors, including the complex composition of the prostatic epithelium by three different cell types, the lack of good animal models and the relative inaccessibility of the gland. More information about the basic biology of epithelial cell types in the development of the various neoplastic disorders of the prostate gland is required. This article reviews recent data about differentiation and proliferation processes in the human prostate and proposes a stem cell model that may explain the morphogenisis of normal and abnormal prostatic growth.
Bonkhoff
H
H
Institute of Pathology, University of the Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Remberger
K
K
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*