The connective tissue framework in the normal prostate, BPH and prostate cancer: analysis by scanning electron microscopy after cellular digestion

The objective of this study was twofold: (1) to determine if a cellular dig estion process can facilitate examination of the morphology of the connecti ve tissue framework of the prostate, and (2) to examine the connective tiss ue framework in normal prostate tissue, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Ten prostate glands were examined. Using the Ohtani me thod of digestion, the cellular elements were removed. This enabled scannin g electron microscopy analysis of the connective tissue framework within th e prostatic tissue. Light microscopy of tissue blocks determined the histol ogy of specimens. The prostate is supported by a highly structured network of collagen fibres. This network of fibres varies in normal and diseased st ates. In benign prostatic hyperplasia, the collagen network is dense, with an increased number of fibres. In prostatic adenocarcinoma, there is non-un iform swelling with a loss and disintegration of collagen fibres. In conclu sion, sodium hydroxide cellula; digestion provides an excellent method for demonstrating the connective tissue framework of prostatic tissue. The morp hological changes in collagen fibres in normal prostate, benign prostatic h yperplasia and prostatic adenocarcinoma have implications for prostate grow th in normal and diseased states.