General comments on the Pathological Examination of Breast Tissue and Classification of Mammary Carcinoma

Abstract

Accurate histological diagnosis can only be made if the specimen has been adequately sampled. Blocks of tissue for histological examination should include areas of obviously gross abnormality as well as representative samples of all the submitted tissue. In situ carcinoma, particularly of the lobular type, is often not discernible on gross examination, and infiltrating carcinoma can sometimes be difficult to detect macroscopically, particularly when the tumour is very diffuse with little productive fibrosis. Such tumours can often be felt more easily than they can be seen. Even when an obviously benign lesion is found on gross examination the surrounding tissue should always be sampled.