Introduction: When a carcinoma develops our immunity plays a major role in fighting against tumor cells. Mast cells which play a major role in our innate immunity are also found to get activated in a developing tumor. So far only few studies have been conducted on the role of mast cell in carcinoma breast which have shown the cytolytic activity of these on tumor cells and their relationship in response to hormone receptor status.

Aim: To study the histopathological characteristics of invasive ductal carcinoma breast. and mast cell count in them and their relationship with Estrogen & Progesterone receptor status.

Materials and Methods: We did a descriptive histopathological study on the specimens of modified radical mastectomy received in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram from 1^st January 2012 to  2014. Histopathological characteristics of each case with respect to their ER/PR status was studied. Mast cell were stained using special stains and counted. Data was statistically analysed with SPSS software using Univariate analysis and chi square test to detect the significance of mast cell presence with receptor status in invasive ductal carcinoma breast.

Results: Out of total 150 cases the mast cells were present in 56 cases (37.3%) and were absent in 94 cases (62.7%). The relationship between presence of mast cells and estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity was found to be stastically insignificant as the p-value was more than 0.05. Thus there was no significant relationship between estrogen and progesterone receptor status with the presence of mast cells.

Conclusions: The present study showed that there is no significant relationship between presence of mast cells in peritumoral tissue and the hormonal status of the patient. So as per this study mast cell presence cannot be suggested as a definitive cheap easily assessable prognostic factor in carcinoma breast. Newer modalities for detection of new prognostic indicators can help in implementation of adjuvant therapies in a patient with ductal carcinoma breast.

1. Azizun-Nisa., Bhurgri, Y., Raza, F., Kayani, N. (2008). Comparison of ER, PR and HER-2/neu (C-erb B 2) reactivity pattern with histologic grade, tumor size and lymph node status in breast cancer..Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention :Apjcp, 9(4), 553-6.
2. Estrogen Receptor–Positive, Progesterone Receptor–Negative Breast Cancer: Association With Growth Factor Receptor Expression and Tamoxifen Resistance GraziaArpino, Heidi Weiss, Adrian V. Lee, Rachel Schiff, Sabino De Placido, Kent Osborneand Richard M. Elledge. JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (7 September 2005) 97 (17): 1254-1261.
3. Khan K, Chakraborti S, Mondal S. Morphological predictors of nipple areola involvement in malignant breast tumours. Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2010;53(2):232-7.
4. Billar JAY, Dueck AC, Gray RJ, Wasif N, Pockaj BA. Preoperative Predictors of Nipple–Areola Complex Involvement for Patients Undergoing Mastectomy for Breast Cancer. Ann SurgOncol 2011;18: 3123–28.
5. Wang J, Xiao X, Wang J, Iqbal N, Baxter L, Skinner KA, et al. Predictors of Nipple–Areolar Complex Involvement by Breast Carcinoma: Histopathologic Analysis of 787 Consecutive Therapeutic Mastectomy Specimens. Ann SurgOncol 2012;19: 1174–1180.
6. Saha K, Raychaudhuri G, Chattopadhyay BK. Clinico-pathological study of breast carcinoma: A prospective two-year study in a tertiary care hospital. Clin Cancer Investig J 2013;2(1):34-40.
7. Vlajcic Z, Zic R, Stanec S, Lambasa S, Petrovecki M, Stanec Z. Nipple-areola complex preservation: predictive factors of neoplastic nipple-areola complex invasion. Ann PlastSurg 2005;55(3): 240–4.
8. Brachtel EF, Rusby JE, Michaelson JS, Chen LL, Muzikansky A, Smith BL, et al. Occult nipple involvement in breast cancer: clinicopathologic findings in 316 consecutive mastectomy specimens. J ClinOncol 2009;27(30):4948–54.
9. D’Alonzo M, Martincich L, Biglia N, Pisacane A, Maggiorotto F, De Rosa G, et al. Clinical and radiological predictors of nipple–areola complex involvement in breast cancer patients. Eur J Cancer 2012.
10. Lohsiriwat V, Rojananin S, Bhothisuwan K, Ratanawichitrasin A, O-charoenrat P, Jutaphisit S, et al.Prediction of Nipple Areolar Complex Involvement in Breast Cancer. Thai J Surg 2004;25(3):71- 78.
11. Fernandopulle SM, Cher-Siangang P, Tan PH. Breast carcinoma in women 35 years and younger: A pathological study. Pathology 2006;38:219-22.
12. Brachtel EF, Rusby JE, Michaelson JS, Chen LL, Muzikansky A, Smith BL, et al. Occult nipple involvement in breast cancer: clinicopathologic findings in 316 consecutive mastectomy specimens. J ClinOncol 2009;27(30):4948–54.
13. Dabiri S, Huntsman D, Makretsov N, Cheang M, Gilks B et al (2004) The presence of stromal mast cells identifies a subset of invasive breast cancers with a favorable prognosis. Mod Pathol 2004,17:690–95.

Dr Annu Sajeev

8B, AG-1, Vikaspuri, New Delhi 110018

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mobile: 9496370593