Breast cancer is one
of those diseases that can induce a tremendous desmoplastic response.
Here you will see many islands and clusters of malignant adenocarcinoma cells
with an abundant intervening densely collagenized stroma.
You will see strands,
cords and single file ("Indian file") arrangement of the malignant cells in
the breast connective tissue. Mitotic figures may be rare. Some gland-like
arrangements will be present. There is not a real marked degree of nuclear
atypia in these malignant cells, but they are cancer all the same. The single
file arrangement is real important in recognizing this tumor. We use this
arrangement to help with identification when this tumor has metastasized
to a remote site. Note the degree of collagen production in response to this
tumor. This is referred to as a scirrhous reaction and sometimes this tumor
is referred to as scirrhous carcinoma of the breast.
