Precursor of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: Recent Findings and New Concepts

A prime concern in prostate pathology is the early detection of prostatic adenocarcinoma, preferably in the preinvasive phase, in order to treat the patient effectively. For this reason, understanding the biology of pre-invasive or precursor lesions has become more and more important. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) is the best known of these lesions. This publication presents the latest results of work in molecular pathology and quantitative image analysis: the two fields where research is currently concentrated. The clinical aspects and management of PIN lesions are of increasing interest to the urologist due to their significance as predictors of later cancer development. The chemoprevention of premalignant prostatic lesions is addressed as a strategy designed to inhibit or reverse the process of carcinogenesis. All urologists, pathologists and oncologists involved in the early detection of the precursor lesions of prostate cancer and in their chemoprophylaxis should read this excellent volume.