Elevated prolactin level in prostates with latent carcinoma.

To evaluate a possible correlation between tissue hormone levels and the development of latent prostatic carcinoma, levels of testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin were measured in homogenates of prostates by radioimmunoassay. One hundred and thirteen prostates obtained at autopsy from males over age 50 were morphologically classified into three groups; benign prostates, prostates with latent well differentiated type carcinoma (LWTC), and prostates with latent moderately or poorly differentiated type carcinoma (LMPTC). As detected by double antibody radioimmunoassay, tissue prolactin levels were statistically elevated (P less than 0.05) in prostates classified as LMPTC compared to benign prostates only. No statistical differences were noted for prostatic tissue levels for testosterone and estradiol in the three groups. Results suggest the possibility that prolactin may relate to the promotion and/or manifestation of prostatic carcinoma at the tissue level.