Elastosis in premalignant and malignant lesions of breast-A histopathological and histochemical study

Background: Stromal changes in all the premalignant, insitu/ microinvasive and invasive malignant lesions of breast helps in better understanding of disease process at the level of the tumor and host stromal reaction. The pattern of elastosis even correlates better with prognosis than the predicted behaviour of tumour cells. Aims and Objectives: The present study is undertaken to emphasize the importance of stromal changes (elastosis) and to predict the prognosis and behaviour of tumor cells. Study design: The study was conducted on 90 patients of breast lesions (66 cases of invasive malignant breast lesions and 04 cases of insitu breast lesions and 20 cases of proliferative breast lesions). Material and Methods: The tissue for histopathological studies were collected in 10 % buffered formalin solution .The paraffin wax blocks were made and 4-5 µ thick sections were cut and stained by H & E and special histochemical stains. Result: Moderate degree of elastosis was found to be associated with maximum number of invasive malignant breast lesions Proliferative breast lesions and insitu malignant lesions showed mild to moderate degree of elastosis. Consistent results were obtained in Grade II malignant lesion where moderate to marked degree of elastosis was seen. Conclusion: In all cases of early invasive and invasive malignant lesions of breast, elastosis as a indicator of stromal change should be carefully studied and included in predicting the final outcome along with histological types to get the better results.