THE NEUROENDOCRINE CELL-POPULATION OF THE HUMAN PROSTATE-GLAND

Neuroendocrine cells have been reported in up to 50% of all prostatic adenocarcinomas. These cells appear to influence the prognosis of thes e tumors. The distribution of the neuroendocrine cell population in th e normal prostate gland, through all stages of development, has not be en documented previously. We define the distribution of this cell popu lation and describe 4 cellular morphological variants. The neuroendocr ine cells of the peripheral zone appear to respond to factors present at birth and at puberty, while those of the periurethral glands and pr ostatic duct system are not influenced by this factor. It is postulate d that this factor may be the levels of circulating androgens. The pre sence of at least 2 functionally distinct populations of neuroendocrin e cells raises the possibility of 2 different embryonic origins. The s tudy documents the distribution of calcitonin-producing cells but fail s to detect the presence of somatostatin.