EFFECT OF ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION ON EPITHELIAL AND MESENCHYMAL TISSUE-COMPONENTS IN LOCALIZED PROSTATE-CANCER

Objective To measure the area distribution of epithelial and mesenchym al components in the prostate of patients with localized prostate canc er after temporary androgen deprivation. Patients and methods Surgical specimens from 38 patients treated with the gonadotrophin-releasing h ormone agonist triptorelin for 3 months before radical prostatectomy w ere examined (group 1). Specimens from a second group of 54 patients w ho underwent the same surgical procedure with no prior therapy were us ed as controls (group 2). The specimens were serially step-sectioned a nd whole-mount tissue sections prepared. The epithelial, smooth muscle and connective tissue components were stained separately with immunoh istochemical and histochemical techniques, respectively. Using colour- based image analyses, the tissue components were classified into three categories, displayed in different colours. The percentage of tumour areas occupied by cancer epithelial cells, connective tissue and smoot h muscle was determined. Results In specimens from group 1, the cancer epithelium was sparse and scattered throughout the tumour area. A mea n (so) of 21 (11)% of the area was occupied by cancer cells, compared with 40 (11)% in the corresponding material from group 2 (P<0.001). Th e connective tissue/smooth muscle ratio in stroma (about 1 : 1) was si milar in both groups. Conclusions Neoadjuvant hormone treatment of pat ients with localized prostate cancer was associated with a marked redu ction in tumour density and thus in the total amount of cancer epithel ium.