Conglomeration of infectious lesions of prostrate and mucin

Microscopic differentiation of benign and low-grade malignant lesions of prostate pose a challenging task for the Pathologists. Immunohistochemistry markers can prove costlier in resource poor settings. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of mucin stains in evaluating and differentiating benign and malignant lesions of prostate. One hundred (100) prostatic biopsies received in the Pathology Department of a tertiary care hospital over a period of one and half years were included in this study. In addition to routine H&E, the sections were stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), Alcian Blue (AB) and Mucicarmine (MC) stains. Out of 100 prostatic biopsies studied, 90% of benign cases and 53% malignant lesions showed positivity with Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain. With Alcian blue, 67% of malignant lesions showed positivity and with Mucicarmine 60% of malignant lesions showed positivity. In contrast only 1% of benign lesions were positive with Alcian blue and Mucicarmine. Neutral mucin was found to be more frequently positive in benign lesions of prostate whereas acidic mucin was expressed only in malignant lesions.