OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathohistological characteristics of the prostate tissues in patients who receive a second TURP and to evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSWe collected surgical specimens from 50 cases of TURP (the control group) and another 50 cases of re-TURP (the re-TURP group), detected the expressions of CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and androgen receptor (AR) in the prostate tissues by immunohistochemistry (S-P), and determined microvessel density (MVD) and the expressions of VEGF and AR. We performed statistical analyses on the results obtained from the specimens of the control group as well as from those of the first and second operations of the re-TURP group.

RESULTSVEGF and AR expressed in all the specimens. The expressions of VEGF and AR and MVD were significantly higher in the re-TURP group than in the controls (P < 0.05), but showed no significant differences between the first and second operations in the re-TURP group (P > 0.05). Positive correlations were found between the expressions of AR and VEGF, VEGF and MVD, and AR and MVD (r = 0.650, 0.705 and 0.525, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIncreased AR, VEGF and MVD in the prostatic tissues may be one of the important causes of recurrence of BPH after TURP, and could be considered as the risk factors for postoperative recurrence and targeted indicators for preventive measures.