Atypical small acinar proliferation

In urologic pathology, atypical small acinar proliferation, is a collection of small prostatic glands, on prostate biopsy, whose significance is uncertain and cannot be determined to be benign or malignant.

Atypical small acinar proliferation
Other names	ASAP

ASAP, generally, is not considered a pre-malignancy, or a carcinoma in situ; it is an expression of diagnostic uncertainty,^[1] and analogous to the diagnosis of ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) on the Pap test.

Association with adenocarcinoma

On a subsequent biopsy, given the diagnosis of ASAP, the chance of finding prostate adenocarcinoma is approximately 40%; this is higher than if there is high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN).^[2]

Management

ASAP is considered an indication for re-biopsy;^[3] in one survey of urologists^[4] 98% of respondents considered it a sufficient reason to re-biopsy.

See also

• Sensitivity