The study of mammary carcinoma by mammography and whole organ sectioningearly observations

Abstract

The first 38 specimens in a series of carcinomas of the breast studied by correlated mammography and subserial whole organ sectioning are reported. Three specific patterns of tumor growth have been identified and their mammographic appearances described. Intramammary spread of carcinoma has been observed to occur both intraductally and by way of periductal lymphatics. Extensive neoplastic transformation of ductal epithelium and multiplicity of invasive sites have been found frequently. Diffuse or multiple origin has been clearly demonstrated in three fourths of the specimens. The skin thickening which is often noted mammographically in association with carcinoma has been shown to be the result of an increase in dermal collagen, whether or not dilatation of dermal lymphatics is also present. An increase in the collagen of stroma of the breast has also been encountered regularly and is often visible in mammograms. Three specimens containing metastases from previously removed contralateral primaries have permitted observations of the distribution of intramammary lymphatic vessels.