Radiological, Histological and Chemical Analysis of Breast Microcalcifications: Diagnostic Value and Biological Significance.

Classification of mammary microcalcifications is based on radiological and histological characteristics that are routinely evaluated during the diagnostic path for the identification of breast cancer, or in patients at risk of developing breast cancer. The main aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the imaging parameters most commonly used for the study of mammary microcalcifications and the corresponding histological and chemical properties. To this end, we matched the radiographic characteristics of microcalcifications to breast lesion type, histology of microcalcifications and elemental composition of microcalcifications as obtained by energy dispersive x ray (EDX)-microanalysis.

Breast Osteoblast-like Cells: A Reliable Early Marker for Bone Metastases From Breast Cancer.

Background: The development of bone metastasis from breast cancer results from a functional interaction between tumor cells and osteoclasts or osteoblasts. The main aim of this study was therefore to test the hypothesis that the appearance of breast osteoblast-like cells (BOLCs) in primary mammary lesions is a precursor (and hence an early predictor) of the formation of breast cancer metastases to bone.

Patients And Methods: In this study, we collected 64 breast infiltrating carcinomas, 50 breast benignant lesions, and 10 biopsies of bone metastasis selected from patients with infiltrated carcinoma.

Emerging prognostic markers related to mesenchymal characteristics of poorly differentiated breast cancers.

Despite the screening program, breast cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death in women in the industrialized world. In this study, we investigate the correlation among poorly differentiated carcinoma, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon, and expression of NF-kB, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), K-RAS, and PTX3 in breast cancer in 100 breast biopsies. Samples were classified as follows: 30 benign lesions (BL), 30 ductal infiltrating carcinomas low grade (MLG1), and 40 ductal infiltrating carcinomas high grade (MLG3).

Microcalcifications in breast cancer: an active phenomenon mediated by epithelial cells with mesenchymal characteristics.

Background: Mammary microcalcifications have a crucial role in breast cancer detection, but the processes that induce their formation are unknown. Moreover, recent studies have described the occurrence of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer, but its role is not defined. In this study, we hypothesized that epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics and become capable of producing breast microcalcifications.