ISSN:
1432-2307
Keywords:
Breast cancer
;
Stroma reaction
;
Medullary breast cancer
;
Subclassification
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary One hundred and eight breast carcinomas were investigated to determine the frequency and intensity of mononuclear stromal reactions in different types of breast cancer, including the cytopathology of the lymphoid stroma in medullary carcinoma. The mononuclear infiltrates were analysed microscopically in the invasive area of the carcinoma and in the surrounding connective and fat tissue. The results were correlated and investigated statistically by different tests. 1. Invasive breast cancer shows slight or medium mononuclear stromal reactions in the marginal zones of the tumors in 61.6%. In 19.2%, infiltrates of the surrounding tissue were absent, and in 19.2% the cell reactions were strong. The values agree with investigations in the literature which give average values for lack of infiltration of 22.3%, for slight or medium degree reaction, 62.2% and for strong reaction 15.4%. 2. It can be seen by comparison of the different types of carcinoma, that medullary carcinoma with lymphoid stroma is significantly different from all other types. These cannot be further differentiated by the degree of infiltration because there is a relatively homogenous distribution of average values. 3. Intensive stromal reactions are not only a sign of immunological defense reactions but may also be induced by necrosis and metaplasias. We found positive correlations between the degree of malignancy of the syncytial cords of the medullary carcinoma and their circumscription. 4. Medullary carcinomata are subclassified in three types: 1. Medullary carcinoma with lymphoid stroma, a circumscript tumor surrounded by capsulelike connective tissue. 2. Atypical medullary carcinoma with irregularly developed lymphoid stroma and incomplete capsule. 3. Medullary components in invasive ductal carcinoma with circumscribed shape. 5. The lymphoid stroma of medullary carcinoma shows a different density and pattern. Lymphocytes tend to form round infiltrations whereas plasma cells occur in band formations. In the surroundings of the tumors lymphocytes predominate, while in the center of the carcinoma plasma cells and mixed infiltrations are observed. The prognosis is favorable. From the reported results it is concluded that immune reactions occur in and around the tumor and in the regional nodes, or in the blood, but these hostreactions can only be analysed when it is possible to determine tumor-specific-antigens in the carcinoma.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00430872
Permalink
