Objective: To determine how many latent prostate gland carcinomas (unsuspected carcinomas in clinically benign prostate glands) metastasize.
Design: The prostate glands and the pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes were removed at autopsy from 209 consecutive patients with clinically benign prostate glands. The prostate glands were completely sectioned and examined microscopically using full cross sections. Pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes were identified and examined microscopically for metastases.
Results: Seventy-nine (38%) of the prostate glands had latent prostate carcinomas. None of the pelvic or paraaortic lymph nodes contained metastases.
Conclusion: This study suggests that few latent prostate-gland carcinomas metastasize.