Absence of basal cell layer

 

Prostate cancer glands do not have a basal cell layer. Be careful with the diagnosis of absence or presence of basal cells in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. It may be impossible to see basal cells in a routine stain even when present. On the other hand stromal cells may imitate basal cells in cases that do not have a basal cell layer. Cancer cells may also pile up and mimick a basal cell layer.

Arrows = cancer cells mimicking basal cells.