Role of Neutral Mucin in Differentiating Prostatic Adenocarcinoma from Nodular Hyperplasia of Prostate

Prostatic enlargement is a significant cause of morbidity in men, and distinguishing between prostatic adenocarcinoma and benign prostatic conditions remains challenging. Objective: This study aims to assess the role of neutral mucin in distinguishing prostatic adenocarcinoma from benign prostatic nodular hyperplasia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2018 to February 2020 in the Department of Pathology at Rajshahi Medical College and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). A total of 60 prostate tissue specimens, including 30 diagnosed cases of nodular hyperplasia and 30 of prostatic adenocarcinoma, were included. The specimens were processed with Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, followed by Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining to detect neutral mucin. Positive or negative staining was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: Of the 30 prostatic adenocarcinoma cases, neutral mucin was detected in 6 (20%) cases and absent in 24 (80%). In contrast, among the 30 cases of nodular hyperplasia, neutral mucin was present in 27 (90%) cases and absent in 3 (10%). The sensitivity of PAS stain for detecting prostatic adenocarcinoma was 80%, and its specificity for nodular hyperplasia was 90%. The accuracy of PAS stain in distinguishing adenocarcinoma from benign nodular hyperplasia was 85%. Conclusions: The PAS stain is a reliable histochemical marker for differentiating prostatic adenocarcinoma from nodular hyperplasia