A Study on Expression of PTEN Immunohistochemical Marker in Prostatic Carcinoma

Background: Loss of the tumour suppressor PTEN activates PI3K-AKT-mTOR signalling and is linked to aggressive prostate cancer. Data from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) specimens are limited. Aim: To assess PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in prostatic carcinoma and correlate it with clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five TURP specimens with histologically confirmed prostatic carcinoma were studied (January 2024-April 2026). Tumours were graded by the Gleason system and ISUP grade group (GG). PTEN IHC was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections; loss was defined as complete absence of tumour-cell staining with preserved internal controls. Associations were tested by Fisher's exact test. Results: Patients were aged 54-86 years (mean 71.7 ± 8.5). There were 11 low-grade (GG 1-3) and 11 high-grade (GG 4-5) adenocarcinomas, one case of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and two metastatic deposits (ungraded). PTEN loss was seen in 10 cases (40%). It occurred in 4 of 11 low-grade (36.4%) and 6 of 11 high-grade tumours (54.5%) (p = 0.67). Perineural and lymphovascular invasion were present in 28% and 8% of cases, without significant association with PTEN status. Conclusion: PTEN loss is common in TURP-detected prostatic carcinoma and shows a non-significant trend towards higher grade, with loss also seen in some low-grade tumours. PTEN IHC is an inexpensive adjunct worth testing in larger studies with outcome data.