Argentaffin and argyrophil cells in the prostate

The endocrine component of prostatic carcinomas, mixed adenocarcinoma‐carcinoid tumours and non‐tumour prostate. Histochemical and ultrastructural identification of the endocrine cells

“…Since their ultrastructure resembles that of peptide hormone secreting cells found elsewhere, it is not unlikely that besides monoamines, they store some polypeptide hormone, which might act as a local modulator of the secretory and contractile activities of the prostate. The present study also demonstrates that EP cells in PCs have an incidence higher than that reported previously (Azzopardi & Evans 1971, Kazzaz 1974. This may be ascribed to the different type of fixation and to the different silver methods we employed.…”

Endocrine-Paracrine Cells in Prostatic Carcinoma and Clinical Course of the Disease

“…In Azzopardi and Evans [1971] series, 48 % EPC positivity is reported, even if the positivity is very weak in 20 speci mens. Strong argyrophilia with or without argentaffinia association is present in 10% of our cases (4 of 40), a figure that is in perfect accordance with the data of Azzopardi and Evans [1971] (EPC+++: 4 of 50 = 8%) and of Kazzaz [1974] (EPC+++: 7 of 60 = 17%). These massive argyrophil, argentaffin and Pb-HE-positive cells have been found only in low grade carcinomas (and obviously in carcinoid tumors) without métastasés at first observation.…”

“…These massive argyrophil, argentaffin and Pb-HE-positive cells have been found only in low grade carcinomas (and obviously in carcinoid tumors) without métastasés at first observation. This fact seems to be in contrast with the findings of Kazzaz [1974] who reports a higher per centage of EPC+++ in infiltrating tumors (3 of 5) than in pale adenocarcinomas in which he does not report any infiltrating activity (5 of 35).…”

“…As the normal or hyperplastic prostatic acini are usually reported to be rich in EPC (more than 80% of cases and probably near to 100% according to Azzopardi and Evans [1971], Kazzaz [1974], and Arrigoni et al [1956]), the argentaffinia and argyrophilia could be a characteristic of the more differentiated cells. However, no correlation between the clinical stage and the presence of EPC cells can be shown in the present series (table IV) and the same observation can be made for the very strong argyrophilia/argentaffinia or carcinoid patterns.…”

Neuroendocrine Cells in Peripheral Prostatic Zone: Age, Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Latent Cancer-Related Changes

“…The high frequency of closed-type NCs (95.8%), along with the cytoplasmic storage of various hormonal sub stances, has led many authors to consider a possible endo crine-paracrine action on the prostatic structure both in normal and pathologic development [3,4,6].…”