Study of angiogenesis and inflammation patterns in ductal carcinoma in-situ of the breast

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the pattern of microvessels and inflammation around DCIS and assess their relationship to each other and to the histopathological types of DCIS. Two distinct vascular patterns were observed, a diffuse increase of stromal vascularity between duct lesions [Pattern I] in 52% and a dense rim of microvessels adjacent to the basement membrane of individual ducts [Pattern II] in 28% and both patterns in 19%. Pattern I was seen with high grade [Comedo carcinoma]. Two patterns of inflammation were studied in 23/42 cases of DCIS. Clusters of inflammatory cells situated either adjacent to involved duct or in the interductal stroma [17/23]. A less prominent pattern was a diffuse stromal infiltrate of inflammatory cells [6/23]. There was no significant correlation between patterns of angiogenesis and patterns of inflammation. Thus, different patterns of inflammation were associated with different patterns of vessels. The clusters of inflammatory cells may be recruited via high endothelial venules induced by the DCIS. Cytokines released by the DCIS and/or inflammatory cells [clusters or diffuse] may stimulate the two patterns of new vessels formation. This study suggested that distinct patterns of vascularity in DCIS might be useful for identifying patients who are at high risk