Publications

Dr. Epstein is a leading authority in prostate cancer pathology and has played a pivotal role in modernizing the Gleason grading system, chairing the major international consensus conferences that established its current standards.

Dr. Epstein chaired the consensus conference that redefined the classification of bladder cancer — a system that remains the global standard in use today.

The 2014 ISUP Consensus Conference on Gleason Grading of Prostatic Carcinoma: Definition of Grading Patterns and Proposal for a New Grading System
Am J Surg Pathol. 2016;40(2):244–252.
PubMed | Journal | PDF (ResearchGate)

Dr. Epstein led his colleagues to the development of a patient-centered Grade Group system for prostate cancer — a simplified and more intuitive alternative to the traditional Gleason grading system.

Dr. Epstein was the first to establish specific pathological criteria to identify men suitable for active surveillance of prostate cancer — a groundbreaking contribution made at a time when this approach was highly controversial.

Dr. Epstein was the first to demonstrate that pure Gleason Grade 3+3=6 prostate adenocarcinoma lacks the potential for distant metastasis.

A Contemporary Prostate Cancer Grading System: A Validated Alternative to Gleason Score
Eur Urol. 2016;69(3):428–435.
PubMed | Full Text (PMC)

Prostate Biopsy Specimens with Gleason 3+3=6 and Intraductal Carcinoma: Radical Prostatectomy Findings and Clinical Outcomes
Am J Surg Pathol. 2015;39(10):1383–1389.
PubMed

Prognostic Gleason Grade Grouping: Data Based on the Modified Gleason Scoring System
BJU Int. 2013;111(5):753–760.
PubMed | Full Text (PMC)

Do Adenocarcinomas of the Prostate with Gleason Score < 6 Have the Potential to Metastasize to Lymph Nodes?
Am J Surg Pathol. 2012;36(9):1346–1352.
PubMed

Epithelial Proliferations in Prostatic Stromal Tumors of Uncertain Malignant Potential (STUMP)
Am J Surg Pathol. 2011;35(6):898–903.
PubMed

Initial High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (HGPIN) with Carcinoma on Subsequent Prostate Needle Biopsy: Findings at Radical Prostatectomy
Am J Surg Pathol. 2011;35(8):1165–1167.
PubMed

Intraductal Carcinoma of the Prostate (Without Invasive Carcinoma) on Needle Biopsy: Radical Prostatectomy Findings
J Urol. 2010;184(4):1328–1333.
PubMed

Widespread High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia on Prostate Needle Biopsy: A Significant Risk Factor for Subsequent Adenocarcinoma
Am J Surg Pathol. 2006;30(9):1184–1188.
PubMed

Specialized Stromal Tumors of the Prostate: A Clinicopathologic Study of 50 Cases
Am J Surg Pathol. 2006;30(6):694–704.
PubMed

Prostate Needle Biopsies Containing Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Atypical Foci Suspicious for Carcinoma: Implications for Patient Care
J Urol. 2006;175(3):820–834.
PubMed

Risk of Prostate Cancer on Re-biopsy Following a Diagnosis of High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (HGPIN)
J Urol. 2006;175(1):121–124.
PubMed

Intraductal Carcinoma of the Prostate: Histologic Features and Clinical Significance
Mod Pathol. 2006;19(12):1528–1535.
PubMed

The 2005 International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Consensus Conference on Gleason Grading of Prostatic Carcinoma
Am J Surg Pathol. 2005;29(9):1228–1242.
PubMed | Journal | PDF

Basal Cell Hyperplasia: An Unusual Diagnostic Dilemma on Prostate Needle Biopsies
Hum Pathol. 2005;36(5):480–485.
PubMed

Letter to the Editor: Gleason Score 2–4 Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate on Needle Biopsy—A Diagnosis That Should Not Be Made
Am J Surg Pathol. 2000;24:477–478.
PubMed

The WHO/ISUP Consensus Classification of Urothelial (Transitional Cell) Neoplasms of the Urinary Bladder
Am J Surg Pathol. 1998;22(12):1435–1448.
PubMed

Dr. Epstein established the diagnostic criteria for intraductal carcinoma of the prostate, which remain the accepted standard today, and was the first to define its clinical significance on biopsy, whether occurring without invasive carcinoma or alongside only low-grade prostate cancer.

Dr. Epstein was the first to demonstrate that basal cell markers could be used to aid in the diagnosis of prostate cancer — a discovery that led to their adoption as standard tools for distinguishing prostate cancer from its benign mimickers.

Partial Atrophy in Prostate Needle Cores—Another Diagnostic Pitfall for the Surgical Pathologist
Am J Surg Pathol. 1998;22(4):440–445.
PubMed

The Diagnosis of Cowper’s Glands on Needle Biopsy
Am J Surg Pathol. 1997;21(5):550–555.
PubMed

The Utility of Basal Cell–Specific Anti-Cytokeratin Antibody (34βE12) in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer: A Review of 228 Cases
Am J Surg Pathol. 1995;19(3):251–260.
PubMed

Dr. Epstein authored the seminal papers identifying and characterizing various mimickers of prostate cancer, helping to prevent misdiagnosis and improve diagnostic accuracy in prostate pathology.

Adenosis of the Prostate: Histologic Features in Needle Biopsy Specimens
Am J Surg Pathol. 1995;19(7):737–747.
PubMed

Diagnostic Criteria of Limited Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate on Needle Biopsy
Hum Pathol. 1995;26(3):223–229.
PubMed

Pathological and Clinical Findings to Predict Tumor Extent of Non-Palpable (Stage T1c) Prostate Cancer
JAMA. 1994;271(5):368–374.
PubMed

Florid Hyperplasia of Mesonephric Remnants Involving Prostate and Periprostatic Tissue: Possible Confusion with Adenocarcinoma
Am J Surg Pathol. 1993;17(5):454–460.
PubMed

Atypical Basal Cell Hyperplasia of the Prostate
Am J Surg Pathol. 1992;16(12):1205–1214.
PubMed

Dr. Epstein authored the landmark studies on stromal tumors of the prostate, establishing the foundational criteria for their diagnosis and classification.

Dr. Epstein authored the pivotal studies defining the clinical significance of needle biopsy findings of atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), which continue to guide patient management today.

Dr. Epstein was the first to publish well-defined criteria for diagnosing limited adenocarcinoma of the prostate. His authoritative textbook, Biopsy Interpretation of the Prostate, first published in 1989 and now in its 6th edition, remains the definitive reference in prostate pathology.

Dr. Epstein is a world-recognized expert on the diagnosis and grading of prostate cancer, having written many books and articles on the topic, and was the lead author of studies leading to the current grading system for prostate cancer.