Overexpression of estrogen receptors in columnar cell change and in unfolding breast lobules.

Columnar cell change (CCC) is common and has often been considered of little clinical interest. However, some investigators have suggested that it may be a marker for increased risk of breast cancer. To see whether CCC is subject to hormonal influences, the distribution of estrogen receptors (ER) was determined in a series of breast specimens showing this change.