Paneth cell-like metaplasia of the prostate gland
Frydman, C.P.; Bleiweiss, I.J.; Unger, P.D.; Gordon, R.E.; Brazenas, N.V.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 116(3): 274-276
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 1371381 Document Number: 396670
We report two cases of Paneth cell-like metaplasia of the prostate gland, one in poorly differentiated carcinoma and the second in benign hyperplasia. By light microscopy, the Paneth-like cells were indistinguishable from Paneth cells found in the normal small intestine and ultrastructurally showed electron-dense granules typical of Paneth cells. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase and negative for lysozyme and alpha 1-antitrypsin. The clinical significance of Paneth cell-like metaplasia is unknown and may represent an example of the multipotential metaplastic capability of actively dividing cells.