ARE NEUROENDOCRINE CELLS OF PRACTICAL VALUE AS AN INDEPENDENT PROGNOSTIC PARAMETER IN PROSTATE-CANCER

Objective To assess whether the presence of neuroendocrine (NE) cells is of value as an independent indicator of poor prognosis in patients with prostate carcinoma. Patients and methods A series of 160 consecut ive patients with prostate carcinoma was studied retrospectively. In 1 20 there was sufficient tissue for review and to perform immunoperoxid ase stains for neuron specific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin A (CGA). All patients had a potential follow-up of at least 5 years. Results F ive-year survival was poorer for patients with a high tumour grade and stage at presentation compared to those with a lower grade and stage. NE cells were more common in higher grade and stage disease, but 5-ye ar survival did not differ significantly between patients with NE cell positive and negative tumours. Conclusion NE cells are of no practica l value as an independent prognostic indicator in patients with prosta tic adenocarcinoma.