Background: The difficulty with histopathology diagnosis is the presence of numerous benign reactive breast lesions with morphological features mimic malignant lesions. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the merit of morphological patterns of elastic and reticular fibers in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions. Methodology: Fifty biopsies were obtained from females with breast Lesions (25 breast carcinoma and 25 benign lesions), their ages ranging from 17 to 85 years with mean age of 39 years old. Morphologic demonstrations of elastic and reticular fibers were performed using conventional histochemical procedures. Results: Intense grades of elastic fiber staining were achieved with carcinoma tissues. Dwindled grades of elastic fiber staining were detected with fibrocystic changes. Elastic fibers in breast carcinoma are significantly increased compared to benign breast lesions P < 0.05. Reticular fibers have indicated relatively similar presentation in benign and malignant breast lesions. Conclusion: Histochemical quantifications of elastic and reticular fibers can assist in routine diagnosis of breast lesions. Elastic fibers significantly increase in breast carcinoma compared to benign breast lesions.
KeywordsBreast CancerBenign Breast LesionsReticular FibersElastic Fibers
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