Volume 26, Issue 6 pp. 1138-1147
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Is it ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion or “Ductogenesis”? The role of myoepithelial cell markers

Shahla Masood MD

Corresponding Author

Shahla Masood MD

Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine – Jax, Jacksonville, FL, USA

Correspondence

Shahla Masood, Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine – Jax, 655 W. 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 23 May 2020
Citations: 3

Abstract

Mammary myoepithelial cells have been under-recognized for many years since they were considered less important in breast cancer tumorigenesis compared to luminal epithelial cells. However, in recent years with advances in genomics, cell biology, and research in breast cancer microenvironment, more emphasis has been placed on better understanding of the role that myoepithelial cells play in breast cancer progression. As the result, it has been recognized that the presence or absence of myoepithelial cells play a critical role in the assessment of tumor invasion in diagnostic breast pathology. In addition, advances in screening mammography and breast imaging has resulted in increased detection of ductal carcinoma in situ and consequently more diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. In the present review, we discuss the characteristics of myoepithelial cells, their genomic markers and their role in the accurate diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. We also share our experience with reporting of various morphologic features of ductal carcinoma in situ that may mimic microinvasion and introduce the term of ductogenesis.

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