Evaluation of Prostatitis in Autopsied Prostates—Is Chronic Inflammation More Associated With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or Cancer?

Abstract

Chronic inflammation (CI) has been associated with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the prevalence of CI in malignant and benign glands has never been compared. We evaluated the association between inflammation, BPH and cancer in autopsied prostates We analysed prospectively 167 autopsied prostates. Pathological analysis identified each focus of cancer, BPH nodules and areas of acute (AI) or CI. Any cancer focus or BPH nodule involved directly with inflammation was recorded. The association between the prevalence of prostate cancer, BPH, and inflammation was statistically assessed. Inflammation was present in 113 (67.6%) of 167 cases. CI was identified in 88 (53%), AI in 6 (4%) and both CI and AI in 19 (11%) glands. In the majority of cases, inflammation was present in the transitional zone. 93 glands (56%) were involved with BPH and 49 (29%) with cancer. 75% of the glands harboring BPH were also involved with CI, as compared to only 50% of the glands without BPH (p0.1). Among the 27 glands involved with both cancer and BPH, CI was more associated with BPH than cancer (p=0.006). AI was not significantly associated with either BPH or cancer. CI was a common finding in autopsied prostates. It appeared to be directly associated with the presence of BPH, but not with cancer.