The silent architecture of the prostate: histological perspectives on the neural landscape

Abstract

The neural network of the prostate plays a key role in regulating glandular and stromal functions, and the interactions between nerve fibers and tumor cells may influence prostate cancer progression. This study included 92 histological specimens, of which 80 were cases of prostate cancer and 12 were controls. The material was processed using conventional techniques and analyzed morphologically and immunohistochemically, with the use of S100 antibody for identifying neural structures. In normal prostate tissue, the neural network was well organized, with fine nerve fibers distributed periacinally and perivascularly, while larger structures were located in the periprostatic soft tissues. In malignant cases, perineural invasion was present in 33.7% of specimens, with increased incidence in poorly differentiated tumors and non - acinar carcinomas. It was frequently associated with desmoplastic stromal changes and the presence of intravascular tumor emboli. These findings support the hypothesis of an active interaction between neural structures and the prostatic tumor microenvironment, and suggest that perineural invasion may represent a relevant morphological marker for assessing tumor aggressiveness.