Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinomas: histogenesis, biology, clinical relevance, and future therapeutical perspectives.
Since the introduction of immunohistochemistry, there is an increasing interest in neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in prostatic carcinomas. Focal NE differentiation in prostatic adenocarcinomas is a very frequent finding. It is subject of numerous studies, since a negative impact on prognosis and an important role in antiandrogen therapy failure are suspected. NE-differentiated small-cell carcinoma is a very rare tumor comprising 0.5-2% of all prostatic carcinomas. Nevertheless, although very rare, it is of clinical importance because it is one of the most aggressive tumors of the prostate with a very poor prognosis. This review is focused on actual concepts of histogenesis, cell biology, clinical implications, and possible future therapeutic perspectives of these two tumor entities.
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Institute of Pathology, Hegau Klinikum GmbH, Singen, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Freiburg, Germany.
Köllermann
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Oehler
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D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy