Phase contrast microscopy analysis of breast tissue: differences in benign vs. malignant epithelium and stroma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how optical scatter properties in breast tissue, as measured by phase contrast microscopy and interpreted pathophysiologically, might be exploited as a diagnostic tool to differentiate cancer from benign tissue.


METHODS
We evaluated frozen human breast tissue sections of adipose tissue, normal breast parenchyma, benign fibroadenoma tumors and noninvasive and invasive malignant cancers by phase contrast microscopy through quantification of grayscale values, using multiple regions of interest (ROI). Student's t tests were performed on phase contrast measures across diagnostic categories testing data from individual cases; all ROI data were used as separate measures.


RESULTS
Stroma demonstrated significantly higher scatter intensity than did epithelium, with lower scattering in tumor-associated stroma as compared with normal or benign-associated stroma. Measures were comparable for invasive and noninvasive malignant tumors but were higher than those found in benign tumors and were lowest in adipose tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences were found in scatter coefficient properties of epithelium and stroma across diagnostic categories of breast tissue, particularly between benign and malignant-associated stroma. Improved understanding of how scatter properties correlate with morphologic criteria used in routine pathologic diagnoses could have a significant clinical impact as developing optical technology allows macroscopic in situ phase contrast imaging.
Wells
Wendy A
WA
Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03756, USA. wendy.a.wells@hitchcock.org
Wang
Xin
X
Daghlian
Charles P
CP
Paulsen
Keith D
KD
Pogue
Brian W
BW
D052436:Adipose Tissue, White / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008027:Light; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography