Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer.

Background: In numerous recent studies attention has been focused to neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in prostate cancer (PC). Focal NED is present in almost all PCs, but it is prominent in only 5-10% of the carcinomas. The prognostic significance of focal NED in PC is controversial, but current evidence suggests its influence on the onset and/or conversion of hormone resistant tumor phenotype.