Do's and Dont's in Stereological Pathology or Possibilities of Stereological-Biochemical Correlation in Uropathology

Summary The problems and the interpretation of combined stereological-biochemical investigations in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) research are discussed. As BPH is characterized by a primary stromal enlargement the role of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) is focussed. For determination of the single cell volume of the SMC several methods are applicable leading to different results. Thus interpretation of these results has to be done with caution. Finally as an example there is a discussion of a correlation of stereological-biochemical dates of human prostatic tissue samples.