Mucin-producing carcinoma of the breast. Tissue culture, histochemical and electron microscopic study.

Abstract

Mucin-producing carcinoma of the female breast was studied by histochemistry, electron microscopy and tissue culture. The tumor cells and lakes of secretion contained strong and weak acidic mucins. Weakly acidic mucins were abundant in areas of adjacent atypical intraductal hyperplasia. Mucin production in the benign atrophic areas was scanty and mainly of the neutral variety. Electron microscopy revealed elaborate organelle morphology as compared to the simple structure of the more common infiltrating duct carcinoma. In cell culture the tumor cells proliferated and produced mucin for 6 weeks through 2 subcultures.