title: Evaluation of pathological parameters and morphometric data of desmoplastic lobular breast carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) is the second most frequent form of breast cancer. While cancer cells are regularly investigated, tumor stroma represents a highly unexplored field.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to perform a detailed investigation of clinical, immunohistochemical, and morphometric characteristics of desmoplastic (D) and nondesmoplastic (ND) ILC.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included twenty cases of ILC that were divided into two groups designated as D and ND groups. Medical histories and diagnosis data were obtained from the archives of the Center of Pathology, Clinical center Niš (Serbia). Morphometric analysis of hematoxylin and eosin stained slides was performed using ImageJ software, and the obtained data were further statistical processed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analyses of the data revealed that no significant differences between D and ND groups when patient age, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions and morphometrical parameters (such as the distance between groups of cancer cells and nucleocytoplasmic ratio) were compared. However, D and ND groups statistically, significantly differed in the occurrence of axillary lymph node metastasis, and when the ER and PR data were included, in certain nuclear parameters (cell/nucleus area, perimeter, Feret's diameter, and circularity).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Desmoplastic stroma was observed more frequently in patients without axillary lymph node metastases, whereas the expression of ER and PR had no influence on its development. According to the measured morphometric parameters larger cells/nuclei belonged to ND group.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ivan R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Ilic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Nikola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Stojanović
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Pavle J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Randjelović
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marina N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mihajlović
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Niko S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Radulović
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ratko S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ilić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001699:Biometry; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D055771:Serbia