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Malignant tumor of the breast with bone formation. Studies by light and electron microscopy
Author(s) -
GonzalezLicea Austin,
Yardley John H.,
Hartmann William H.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196708)20:8<1234::aid-cncr2820200808>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - osteoid , pathology , stromal cell , stroma , electron microscope , mesenchymal stem cell , anatomy , cartilage , ground substance , bone cell , giant cell , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunohistochemistry , connective tissue , physics , optics
A malignant tumor of the breast showing bone formation was studied by light and electron microscopy. The basic pattern consisted of undifferentiated cells separated by wide but poorly demarcated stromal bands. Giant cells were also present. Bony trabeculae, smaller osteoid masses and (rarely) cartilage were scattered through the tumor. The undifferentiated cells were pleomorphic by electron microscopy but showed desmosomes and evidence of an ability to produce collagen and ground substance. Many cells adjacent to osteoid and bony trabeculae resembled normal osteoblasts but others were similar to the undifferentiated cells. The stromal bands contained “normal‐looking” and “primitive‐looking” fibroblasts which shared features of the undifferentiated cells. The question of a mesenchymal versus epithelial origin of the tumor could not be settled but the authors believe that production of stroma and bone is not inconsistent with epithelial origin. The many shared features amongst the various cell types suggest that all, including bone and stroma‐producing cells, had a common malignant origin.