HISTOLOGIC CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE IN AUTOPSIES: FREQUENCY, ORIGIN, EXTENSION, GRADING AND TERMINOLOGY

Objective: To study the prostate carcinoma incidentally found in autopsies. Material and Methods: The prostates from 150 autopsied men over 40 years of age were dissected in transitional and peripheral zones. The microscopic examination included presence or absence of adenocarcinoma, neoplastic extension, evaluated by the number of fragments, and histologic grading, according to the Gleason system. Results: The frequency was 36.66%, being significantly higher in older patients with no predilection to color. From a total of 55 carcinomas, 56.36% were found in both transitional and peripheral zones, 25.45% only in transitional zone and 18.18% only in peripheral zone. All neoplasias found only in the transitional zone or only in the peripheral zone were not extense and had low grade. When found in both zones, the carcinoma was not very extense and had low grade in the transitional zone, but it was extense and with high grade in the peripheral zone. In 14.54%, 80% and 5.45% of the carcinomas, the Gleason score was 2 - 4, 5 - 6 and 7, respectively. Gleason score 2 - 4 was significantly more frequent in younger patients and score 7 in older patients. Conclusions: There are morphologic evidences of a less malignant potential when the carcinoma is present exclusively in the transitional zone. Final score 2 - 4 was significantly more frequent in younger patients and final score 7 in older patients.