Cell surface differences in ducts from cancerous and noncancerous human breasts.
The scanning electron microscope reveals structural differences between the apical microvilli of duct cells from cancerous and noncancerous human breasts. The alterations in the microvilli from carcinomatous breasts appear to be highly specific, to extend throughout the affected breast, and may be pathognomonic for this condition.
D000232:Adenofibroma / Q000473:pathology*; D001940:Breast / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000473:pathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011247:Pregnancy