Chronic asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate type IV and carcinoma of the prostate: is there a correlation?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to detect possible correlations between chronic asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate type IV and prostate cancer in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RPE).


METHODS
Between January and December 2010, 57 RPE specimens were prospectively evaluated with regard to histological signs of chronic inflammation. This RPE group was compared to specimens of 82 men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or transvesical enucleation (TVE) of a benign prostate (BPH group). To characterize inflammatory changes, inflammatory "hot spots" were defined according to the histological criteria of Irani et al. (J Urol 1997;157:1301-3). Total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, International Prostate Symptom Score and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated preoperatively and were correlated to the histological findings.


RESULTS
Chronic inflammation was verified in 43.86% of the RPE group, compared to 70.74% of the BPH group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis found a significant correlation between older patients and the inflammation score (p < 0.03) and prostate volume (p < 0.03). There was no difference in the PSA values between the inflammation and non-inflammation groups: mean PSA was 5.7 vs 6.1 ng/ml in the RPE group (p < 0.89), and 2.8 vs 2.9 ng/ml in the BPH group (p < 0.94). Gleason score distribution (5-9) and tumour stage (TNM) were similar in the inflammation and non-inflammation groups (p < 0.99, p < 0.21).


CONCLUSIONS
No significant correlation between chronic prostatic inflammation and carcinoma of the prostate was detected. Contrary to expectations, a significantly higher score of inflammatory changes was found in BPH patients; also, total PSA levels were lower in the inflammation group.
Department of Urology and Andrology, Landesklinikum Thermenregion Baden, Austria. paul.engelhardt@baden.lknoe.at
P F
PF
Engelhardt
H
H
Brustmann
S
S
Seklehner
C R
CR
Riedl
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen