A COMPARISON OF LARGE BLOCK MACROSECTIONING AND CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES IN BREAST PATHOLOGY

Two techniques for the histological handling of breast specimens, name ly conventional sampling using small blocks (SB) and a large block (LB ) macrosectioning technique have been compared, with special emphasis on tumour size and in situ carcinoma, in an attempt to objectively dem onstrate the advantages of the latter method. This is considered to be of particular importance in guiding the clinicians in their use of th e many treatment modalities available for breast carcinoma. All cases were from the routine surgical caseload; 100 examined by the LB techni que and 111 using conventional SB. The LB technique gave a reliable me asurement of invasive carcinoma in 100% of cases compared to only 63% of SB cases. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), was found more frequentl y (80% versus 64%) and its extent was more easily and reliably measure d in the large blocks. The extent of DCIS was significantly greater in all cases using large block techniques. Concurrent carcinomas were fo und more frequently in the LB series and these tumours were smaller th an those in the SB series. Similar differences were noted with radial scars, and other proliferative lesions also had a higher incidence in the LB series. We conclude that the LB technique has sufficient advant ages to recommend it as a standard technique in breast pathology.