Electron microscopic studies of primary apocrine carcinoma of the breast

Three cases of apocrine carcinoma of the breast were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Histologically, the tumor cells were shown to have eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and occasional cytoplasmic snouts protruding into the lumen. Ultrastructurally, light and dark tumor cells were identified, and there were many lysosome-like dense bodies of various sizes and small dense granules grouped in the subapical region. Many mitochondria with incomplete cristae and numerous small vacuoles were distributed in the cytoplasm. Occasionally, intracytoplasmic lumen were visible in the tumor cells. These ultrastructural findings are quite similar to those found in normal apocrine sweat glands. However, the presence of an intraductal component of carcinoma suggests the origin to be mammary epithelial cells.