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Understanding Your Pathology Report: High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia





What is prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or PIN?

In this condition, there are changes in how the prostate gland cells look under the microscope, but the abnormal cells don't look like they are growing into other parts of the prostate (like cancer cells would). Based on how abnormal the patterns of cells look, they are classified as:

  • Low-grade PIN (the patterns of prostate cells appear almost normal)
  • High-grade PIN (the patterns of cells look more abnormal)

PIN begins to appear in the prostates of some men as early as their 20s. Almost half of all men have PIN by the time they reach 50. High-grade PIN is considered a pre-cancer of the prostate because it may turn into prostate cancer over time.

If I have a pre-cancer does that mean it will turn into prostate cancer?

No. In most cases high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia will not turn into cancer over the next several years. Still, the risk of getting cancer later is higher if high-grade PIN is found in more than one biopsy core.

What does it mean if, under diagnosis, the report says that only one of my biopsy samples shows high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or high-grade PIN but does not mention carcinoma (cancer)?

It means there is no cancer in this biopsy sample. In most cases, even a repeat biopsy will not show cancer.

Do I need a repeat biopsy over the next year or several years later to look for cancer?

In most cases, the chance of finding cancer is low, so a repeat biopsy done soon after the diagnosis of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia is not useful. However, some patients do have a higher risk. Discuss if and when you have a repeat biopsy with your treating doctor.

What does it mean if my biopsy report mentions special studies such as high molecular weight cytokeratin (HMWCK), ck903, ck5/6, p63, AMACR (racemase), 34BE12, or PIN4 cocktail?

These are special tests that the pathologist sometimes uses to help make the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Not all patients need these tests, so whether or not your report mentions these tests has no effect on the accuracy of your diagnosis.

What does it mean if my biopsy report also says acute inflammation (acute prostatitis) or chronic inflammation (chronic prostatitis)?

Inflammation of the prostate is called prostatitis. Most cases of prostatitis reported on biopsy are not from an infection and do not need to be treated. Sometimes, inflammation may increase your PSA level, but it is not linked to prostate cancer.

What does it mean if my biopsy report also says atrophy or adenosis or atypical adenomatous hyperplasia or seminal vesicle?

All of these are terms for things the pathologist sees under the microscope that that are benign (not cancer), but sometimes can look like cancer under the microscope.

Atrophy is a term used to describe a shrinkage of prostate tissue (when it is seen under the microscope). When it affects the entire prostate gland it is called diffuse. This is most often caused by hormones or radiation therapy to the prostate. When atrophy only affects certain areas of the prostate, it is called focal. Focal atrophy can sometimes look like prostate cancer under the microscope.



Copyright 2011 Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology, adapted with permission by the American Cancer Society.

Last Medical Review: 10/14/2014
Last Revised: 10/14/2014