title: Problems in the classification of breast cancer.
abstract: This article has sought to clarify the problems that beset the histologic classification of the numerous forms of breast cancer. Not only is classification itself difficult, but our lack of complete understanding of breast cancer often leaves us without criteria sufficiently clear to establish definite categories. Any adopted classification can be expected to require repeated revision as new information becomes available. Uniformly applying a classification will forever be hampered by factors inherent in the practice of surgical pathology and by the nature of breast disease. Considering the inherent problems, there is surprising uniformity among pathologists interested in the study of mammary carcinoma. The diversity is not so much an omen of impending chaos as a manifestation of a continuing struggle to understand the disease better.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans