Prostate diseases in relation to Prostate zones

Most cancer lesions occur in the peripheral zone of the gland, fewer occur in the transition zone and almost none arise in the central zone. Most benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) lesions develop in the transition zone, which might enlarge considerably beyond what is shown.

The inflammation found in the transition zone is associated with BPH nodules and atrophy, and the latter is often present in and around the BPH nodules. Acute inflammation can be prominent in both the peripheral and transition zones, but is quite variable.
The inflammation in the peripheral zone occurs in association with atrophy in most cases.

Although carcinoma might involve the central zone, small carcinoma lesions are virtually never found here in isolation, strongly suggesting that prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions do not readily progress to carcinoma in this zone. Both small and large carcinomas in the peripheral zone are often found in association with high-grade PIN, whereas carcinoma in the transition zone tends to be of lower grade and is more often associated with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia or adenosis, and less often associated with high-grade PIN. The various patterns of prostate atrophy, some of which frequently merge directly with PIN and at times with small carcinoma lesions, are also much more prevalent in the peripheral zone, with fewer occurring in the transition zone and very few occurring in the central zone.