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Stromal changes in early invasive and non‐invasive breast carcinoma: An ultrastructural study
Author(s) -
Tamimi Salah O.,
Ahmed Ali
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711500108
Subject(s) - basal lamina , stromal cell , pathology , myofibroblast , stroma , ultrastructure , biology , breast carcinoma , carcinoma , basal cell carcinoma , breast cancer , medicine , immunohistochemistry , cancer , fibrosis , basal cell , genetics
Six examples of histologically diagnosed, non‐invasive breast carcinomas were studied by electron microscopy to elucidate the ultrastructural features for an accurate diagnosis of in situ carcinoma. The results obtained revealed two patterns of basal lamina/stromal cells relationship. One pattern showed intact basal lamina with associated periductal stromal cells consisting entirely of fibroblasts, the other pattern showed disruption of basal lamina by gaps and malignant cell protrusions with associated stromal cells consisting of both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. As myofibroblasts are not a component of normal breast stroma but are known to be a prominent feature in the stroma of infiltrating breast carcinoma, the present observations suggest that myofibroblastic proliferation around in situ carcinoma represents an early sign of carcinomatous infiltration. Hence the definitive diagnosis of non‐invasive carcinoma of the breast requires an intact basal lamina and a complete absence of a myofibroblastic reaction.