Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract

Putative premalignant lesions in the prostate have been described since 1926. Histologic features of these lesions include irregular architecture and atypical (dysplastic) cells lining the acini and ductules. Cytologic atypia may be severe enough to make the distinction from invasive carcinoma difficult. Alteration in the basal cell layer also may be a feature. A considerable list of synonyms has been given to these entities, resulting in confusion in the literature and in surgical pathology reporting. Recently, many investigators have agreed to use the term prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to describe these lesions.