General and Systemic Histopathology, C601&C602
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This situation is different
from what we looked at in slide 31. Here we actually see little dermal
implants of metastatic breast cancer, not epithelial spread. These
metastases can be from anywhere, unlike the situation of Paget's disease
depicted in slide 31, where the spread is by direct continuity to the overlying
nipple skin. See this slide with the virtual microscope. |
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Note the difference between this slide and #31. The malignant cells are in the dermis and represent a distant metastases, not a direct "creeping type" spread from the breast ducts below the epidermis. This pattern is more typical of metastatic breast cancer. Take a look for the single file arrangement and "pseudoglandular" organization of this tumor. This pattern is highly characteristic which makes it possible to make a very good guess as to the primary when presented only with the metastatic tumor. |