Argirophyl 'carcinoid-like' breast cancer

A great number of studies in the last decades confirmed neuroendocrine tumors and their cells in many organs. In our work we were studying the presence and distrubution of neuroendocrine markers of different types of breast cancers. Thirty (30) samples of breast cancers were used which have been gathered in paraphine blocks on 5-6 micrometre cross sections. The classic method was used in order to verify pathohistological lesions, argirophil method by Grimelius and ABC immunocitochemical technique with an anti-chromogranine, anti-NSE anti-calcitonine. Grimelius reaction was positive in 65% of cancers. Chromogranines showed as same frequency and arrangement as argirophyll. NSE persist in majority of neoplastic cells. Calcitonine is found in chromogranin-positive cells only. Our results suggests on an endocrine nature of some argirophil breast cancers. It is discussed about polipeptide hormone function in regulation of tumor growth.