Identification of metastatic cell nucleus in human prostate cancer by electron microscopy

AIM: Metastatic prostate cancer is responsible for a large proportion of deaths worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify metastatic cells and determine if stromal invasion by cancer cells differs from those during metastasis. METHODS & RESULTS: Tissue biopsy/prostatectomy samples, visualized by transmission electron microscopy, identified that metastatic cells are a lineage of stem cells, which have dedifferentiated into cancerous columnar/cuboidal cells. These cells demonstrate nuclear plasticity; the loss of nuclear membranes and boundary between nucleus and cytoplasm; and the presence of electron dense molecules, which can readily pass through basement membranes and enter the capillary, ready for dissemination to metastatic sites. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate differences between invasive and metastatic cell types.