Intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC-P): from obscure to significant.

The concept of intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC-P) has evolved over the years and its clinicopathologic significance has come to be more clearly appreciated. In contrast to morphologically malignant intraductal lesions that represent earlier stages of the malignant process in other anatomic sites such as the breast, IDC-P has now been generally recognized as a prognostically unfavorable manifestation of later stage spreading of its invasive counterpart. We here briefly review the evolution of the IDC-P concept, the histological diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis, the clinical significance, as well as recent molecular data of IDC-P.