[A case of lobular carcinoma of the breast containing endocrine granules].
A case of lobular carcinoma containing many endocrine granules in the breast of a 76-year-old woman is reported. Histologically, tumor cells proliferated in solid or nest-like patterns featuring lobular carcinoma. Although argyrophilic and immunohistochemical reactions for peptide hormones were negative, electron microscopic observation revealed endocrine granules, 200-400 nm in diameter, associated with a limiting membrane and a halo in every tumor cell examined. It was suggested that this case might be considered a variant of lobular carcinoma and that breast cancer showing lobular patterns should be searched for the possibility of endocrine differentiation.
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans