Correlation of stromal changes in benign prostatic hyperplasia and localized and advanced prostatic carcinoma

Introduction: As the prostatic carcinoma progresses, stromal changes become more pronounced. The aim of this study is to correlate stromal changes with tumor grade and extraprostatic extension of the disease. Material and Methods: Stromal changes were quantified histochemically and immune histochemically in 70 patients treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostatic carcinoma and the results were correlated with areas of benign prostatic hypeplasia and with tumor grade and tumor stage. Results: Spearman rank correlation showed significant correlation between Trichome Mallory intensity index and higher tumor grade (R=0,27 p=0,023) and higher tumor stage (R=0,24 p=0,049), between vimentin expression and higher tumor grade (R = 0,35 p = 0,003) and higher tumor stage of the disease (R = 0, 28 p = 0,019), and also significant inverse correlation between desmin expression and higher tumor grade (R = - 0,25 p=0,035). Conclusion: Quantification of stromal changes, using a combination of histochemical stains and immune histochemical antibodies, could serve as an additional important complement in the already well established Gleason score for determining tumor grade and tumor stage of the disease.