Spectrum of cribriform proliferations of the prostate: From benign to malignant

• Context.—The presence of cribriform glands/ducts in the prostate can pose a diagnostic challenge. Cribriform glands/ducts include a spectrum of lesions, from benign to malignant, with vastly different clinical, prognostic, and treatment implications. Objective.—To highlight the diagnostic features of several entities with a common theme of cribriform architecture. We emphasize the importance of distinguishing among benign entities such as cribriform changes and premalignant to malignant entities such as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, atypical intraductal cribriform proliferation, intraductal carcinoma of the prostate, and invasive adenocarcinoma (acinar and ductal types). The diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and clinical implications of these cribriform lesions are discussed. Data Sources.—Literature review of pertinent publications in PubMed up to calendar year 2017. Photomicrographs obtained from cases at the University of California at Irvine and authors’ collections.