In order to investigate the cytoplasmic features of cells from benign and malignant breast lesions, a series of cytochemical reactions was applied to 117 sets of imprints made from breast biopsies.
Alkaline phosphatase was present in all benign lesions except one but absent in 56% of the
carcinomas.
Lipids detected by the
oil red O method were significantly more common in
carcinomas but also present in a substantial number of benign lesions, making this difference of minor importance in diagnostic cytology.
Carcinomas with a cytoplasmic
lipid content stainable with
oil red O and with moderate or marked sudanophilia had a significantly higher rate of axillary
lymph node metastases, illustrating the prognostic value of the
lipid-staining methods. Intracytoplasmic inclusions (ICI) detected by the
periodic acid Schiff (PAS) method were found in 62% of the
carcinomas and in only one benign lesion, making their presence of great diagnostic value. It is concluded that the application of certain cytochemical methods may improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cytology.