Three-dimensional microscopic image reconstruction of prostatic adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Routine microscopy provides only a 2-dimensional view of the complex 3-dimensional structure that makes up human tissue. Three-dimensional microscopic image reconstruction has not been described previously for prostate cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a simple method of computerized 3-dimensional image reconstruction and to demonstrate its applicability to the study of prostatic adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Serial sections were cut from archival paraffin-embedded prostate specimens, immunostained using antikeratin CAM5.2, and digitally imaged. Computer image-rendering software was used to produce 3-dimensional image reconstructions of prostate cancer of varying Gleason grades, normal prostate, and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.


RESULTS
The rendering system proved easy to use and provided good-quality 3-dimensional images of most specimens. Normal prostate glands formed irregular fusiform structures branching off central tubular ducts. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia showed external contours similar to those of normal glands, but with a markedly complex internal arrangement of branching lumens. Gleason grade 3 carcinoma was found to consist of a complex array of interconnecting tubules rather than the apparently separate glands seen in 2 dimensions on routine light microscopy. Gleason grade 4 carcinoma demonstrated a characteristic form of glandular fusion that was readily visualized by optically sectioning and rotating the reconstructed images.


CONCLUSIONS
Computerized 3-dimensional microscopic imaging holds great promise as an investigational tool. By revealing the structural relationships of the various Gleason grades of prostate cancer, this method could be used to refine diagnostic and grading criteria for this common tumor.
Department of Pathology, Queen's University at Kingston, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6. boag@cliff.path.queensu.ca
A H
AH
Boag
L A
LA
Kennedy
M J
MJ
Miller
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008867:Microtomy; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D019048:Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
D015415:Biomarkers; C400901:CAM 5.2 antigen; D007633:Keratins