Scanning electron microscopy of hyperplastic and neoplastic human prostate.

Acinar cells of neoplastic prostate tissues are more heterogeneous in size and shape than benign hyperplastic cells when observed by scanning electron microscopy. Three types of acinar cells are recognizable by surface structure, cells with microvilli, cells without microvilli, and cells with membrane ruffles. The pitted cells previously seen in BPH tissues are probably artifactual. The identity of the crater cells is sitll in question.