Histochemical Identification of Connective Tissue Fibers among Women with Breast Cancer in Khartoum State

Abstract

This is a retrospective study, conducted in Khartoum state during the period from May 2005 to January 2006. The study aimed at identifying connective tissue fibers in breast cancer using conventional histochemical techniques. Tissues from 50 proved breast cancers in addition to 10 patients with fibroadenoma as control were studied. All specimens were demonstrated using special stains for connective tissue fibers. Of the 50 patients with breast cancer there were 7 (14%) with non invasive ductal, 2 (4%) non invasive lobular, 35 (70%) invasive ductal, 2 (4%) invasive lobular, 2 (4%) invasive mucinous, 1 (2%) invasive tubular and 1 (2%) invasive medullary carcinoma. Of these different cases, collagen, elastic and reticular fibers were identified. They were demonstrated by Weigert's Van Geison technique, Gorden and Sweet technique and Verrhoff's haematoxylin respectively. Among 50 patients with breast cancer there were 7 cases of non invasive ductal carcinoma, the intensity of the stain for collagen, elastic and reticulin showed 71.4%(+++), 57.1%(++) and 57.1%(+) percapta.There were 2 cases of non invasive lobular carcinoma showed 50%(+++) and 50%(++++) for collagen, 100%(+) for elastic and 50% (+), 50%(++) for reticulin.There were 35 cases In invasive ductal carcinoma, 65.7%(++), 45.7%(++++) and 57.1%(++) respectively. In invasive lobular carcinoma there were 2 cases, 50 % (++) and 50 %(+++) for collagen, 100 %(+++) for elastic and 50 %(+), 50 %(++) for reticulin. In invasive mucinous carcinoma there were 2 cases, 50%(+) and 50%(++) for collagen, 50%(++) and 50%(++++) for elastic and 50%(++), 50%(+++) for reticulin.There was 1 case In invasive tubular carcinoma, 100%(++), 100%(++++) and 100%(+++) respectively. In invasive medullary carcinoma there was 1 case, 100 %(+), 100 %(+++) and 100 %(++) percapta. In fibroadenoma there where 10 cases, 50 %(+++) for collagen, 70 %(+++) for elastic and 70 %(+) for reticulin. These findings suggested that the density of connective tissue fibers may play an important role in differentiation between the invasive and non-invasive breast cancers. However, more advanced technology for quantitative measurements of the staining density is recommended to identify these variations. ‫