From the Research
Corpora amylacea in the prostate are small, rounded structures composed of amyloid bodies that accumulate in the prostate gland as men age, and are associated with chronic inflammation and other factors, as shown in a study published in 2021 1. These microscopic bodies appear as concentrically laminated spheres within the prostatic ducts and acini, typically measuring between 0.2 to 2 mm in diameter.
- They are considered a normal finding in aging prostates, becoming increasingly common in men over 40 years old.
- Corpora amylacea form through the gradual deposition of glycoproteins, cellular debris, and calcium salts, creating their characteristic layered appearance when viewed under a microscope.
- While they are generally benign and asymptomatic, extensive accumulation can occasionally contribute to prostate enlargement or urinary symptoms in some cases.
- Pathologists routinely observe these structures during microscopic examination of prostate tissue, where they appear as purple-blue bodies with hematoxylin and eosin staining.
- It's also important to note that corpora amylacea themselves are not indicators of prostate cancer or other pathological conditions, though they may coexist with various prostatic diseases, as suggested by a study published in 2020 2.
- A study published in 2018 3 found that corpora amylacea were present in benign tissue area for 298 men (84%) and were more common in men with higher body mass index.
- However, the most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021 1, found that the presence of corpora amylacea among prostate cancer cells is an adverse pathological feature, often closely related to intraductal carcinoma of the prostate.
The presence of corpora amylacea can be associated with various factors, including:
- Chronic inflammation, as shown in a study published in 2018 3
- Higher body mass index, as suggested by a study published in 2018 3
- Lower Gleason grade, as found in a study published in 2018 3
- Lack of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion, as shown in a study published in 2018 3
- Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate, as suggested by a study published in 2021 1