For BPH and PIN specimens, positive expression of AKR1C3 was observed in the stromal cells other than the epithelial cells, and for malignant prostate cancer specimens with GS greater than 6, a gradually stronger positive staining of AKR1C3 was detected in prostate cancer epithelial cytoplasm. Here, AKR1C3 is linked to prostate intraepithelial neoplasia.