A subset of cell clusters with malignant features in morphologically normal-appearing and hyperplastic tissues.
BACKGROUND
The development of human breast cancer may be a multistep process, sequentially undergoing normal, hyperplastic, in situ, invasive, and metastatic stages.


METHODS
Our previous and current studies have revealed that a subset of morphologically normal-appearing and hyperplastic breast tissues adjacent to or distant from malignant breast lesions contained cell clusters that showed malignancy-associated immunohistochemical and cytological alterations.


RESULTS
Compared to their morphologically similar counterparts within the same lesion, these cell clusters exhibited several unique features: (1) a significantly increased frequency of focal disruptions in surrounding myoepithelial cell layers and the loss of estrogen receptor expression, (2) signs of stromal and vascular invasion, (3) distinct alterations in the cytoplasmic-nuclear ratio and nuclear shape, size, and polarity, (4) the expression of multiple malignancy-associated biomarkers, and (5) malignancy-associated nuclear changes in benign-appearing cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These changes are likely to reflect DNA structural abnormalities resulting from the disposition of DNA and RNA structural defects or cancer susceptibility genes that facilitate progression and invasion, or to suggest that breast tumor progression and invasion may not always follow the hypothesized sequences. Thus, an integrated immunohistochemical and cytological assessment might facilitate the differential diagnosis, early detection and prevention of malignant breast lesions.
Man
Yan-gao
YG
Department of Gynecologic and Breast Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and American Registry of Pathology, NW, Washington, DC 20306-6000, USA. man@afip.osd.mil
Nieburgs
Herbert E
HE
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA