MAST-CELLS IN BREAST-CANCER

The number of stromal mast cells was, counted in 187 breast carcinomas . The number of mast cells/mm2 of tumour stroma was studied in relatio n to clinical, histological and quantitative prognostic factors and su rvival. A high number of mast cells in tumour stroma was significantly related to low S phase fraction (p=0.001), DNA diploidy (p=0.028), hi gh proportion of intraductal growth (p=0.003) and high degree of tubul e fromation (p=0.044). Large tumours showed a lower number of mast cel ls in stroma (p=0.08). A non-significant trend was found between mast cell count and axillary lymph node status, sex steroid receptor conten t, histological type, morphometric nuclear factors and mitotic frequen cy. In survival analysis a high mast cell count (over 10 g per mm2 of tumour stroma) was related to a favorable prognosis (p=0.04). The pres ent results confirm previous results in that changes in mast cell coun t are related to histopathological characteristics and clinical outcom e in breast cancer.