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Comparison of cytomorphological and architectural heterogeneity in mammographically‐detected ductal carcinoma in situ
Author(s) -
HARRISON M.,
COYNE J.D.,
GOREY T.,
DERVAN P.A.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2559.1996.322365.x
Subject(s) - ductal carcinoma , in situ , pathology , calcification , carcinoma , medicine , biology , cancer , breast cancer , chemistry , organic chemistry
Many classification schemes have been proposed for ductal carcinoma in situ. Architectural heterogeneity is widely recognized. Cytonuclear grade appears to have greater prognostic significance than architectural pattern. This study assesses heterogeneity using a classification based on cytological grade and compares this to architectural heterogeneity in mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ. One hundred and twelve cases were classified according to architectural subtypes and the carcinoma nuclei were graded. Necrosis and micro‐ calcification were assessed. Eighty‐four percent of ductal carcinomas in situ had a single nuclear grade, whereas only 39% showed a single architectural pattern. High grade nuclei were present in 87% of cases. Necrosis was associated with high nuclear grade. In contrast to architectural heterogeneity, this study shows little ductal carcinoma in situ heterogeneity when classification is based on nuclear grade. Thus, a cytomorphological classification should have the advantage of consistency and reproducibility in comparison to architecture‐based classification systems.