Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in benign hyperplastic and cancerous human prostates

Abstract

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were examined histologically in cells of benign hyperplastic and cancerous human prostates. Individual dots of AgNORs inside nucleus that were stained as separate granules or as parts of clusters were counted as one, and the average number of dots per cell was obtained by counting 100 nuclei. The number in epithelial cells was similar to that in stromal cells of hyperplastic prostates. In cancerous prostates, the number was larger than in hyperplastic prostates and increased along with upgrading. The number in incidental cancers was smaller than in clinical cancers as compared with cells of the same Gleason pattern. Number correlated with T factor, but not with N and M factors. Response to treatment and cause-specific survival in stage D2 patients receiving endocrine therapy did not correlate with number, although a relationship between Gleason pattern and survival was shown in these patients. It was concluded that AgNORs might not be an indicator to predict prognosis after endocrine therapy, since a number of AgNORs did not influence response to the therapy.

Effects of a Soybean Isoflavone Mixture on Carcinogenesis in Prostate and Seminal Vesicles of F344 Rats

“…In the present study, we evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of a soybean isoflavone mixture including genistein on carcinogenesis in the prostate and seminal vesicles induced by a combination of DMAB plus TP in rats. Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) have been found to be associated with histologic grade of differentiation, 18,19) tumor stage, 20) and survival 21) in patients with prostate carcinoma. Therefore, AgNOR counts in cancer tissues were also investigated to elucidate the mechanisms of influence of the isoflavone mixture on carcinogenesis in the prostate and seminal vesicles.…”

“…Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) have been found to be associated with histologic grade of differentiation, 18,19) tumor stage, 20) and survival 21) in patients with prostate carcinoma. Therefore, AgNOR counts in cancer tissues were also investigated to elucidate the mechanisms of influence of the isoflavone mixture on carcinogenesis in the prostate and seminal vesicles.…”

Evaluation of three different AgNOR counting methods in advanced carcinoma of the prostate

“…Some studies evaluated the prognostic value of Ag-NOR counts in PCa. Masai and Kobayashi found no correlation between AgNOR counts and response to endocrine therapy [23,24]. Cohen et al could not find significant difference between counts of patients who died of PCa and of those who survived [2].…”

Nucleolar organizer regions in low- and high-grade carcinomas of the prostate

“…Different AgNOR values were found between incidental and peripheral carcinomas. Peripheral carcinomas have high numbers of AgNORs, in contrast to the central incidental carcinomas, with values corresponding to the different grading [3,26]. No difference has been found between incidental and peripheral carcinomas showing no sign of progression [5,22].…”