title: Neuroendocrine differentiation in the precursors of prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review neuroendocrine differentiation in the precursors of prostatic carcinoma (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia).
  
  
  METHODS
  Background information is given on the prostatic neuroendocrine cell and neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinoma. Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia is reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neuroendocrine differentiation occurs in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and is intermediate in degree between normal (which has the most cells with neuroendocrine differentiation) and carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuroendocrine differentiation in the precursors of prostatic carcinoma may play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer but is speculative at this time. Methods to better assess neuroendocrine differentiation are needed.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: di Sant' Agnese
mesh_terms: D001078:APUD Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011468:Prostatectomy; D019048:Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling