Concerted contractions of tumour fragments derived from a pure mucoid carcinoma of the breast in vitro.

Organized tissue fragments obtained by dissociation of a pure mucoid carcinoma of the breast were cultured in vitro. The cellular organization of the fragments appears similar to that observed in vivo, and consist of mucous-filled spherules surrounded by a single layer of tumour cells. Time-lapse video recordings revealed that the cells surrounding these fragments undergo a concerted contraction and relaxation over the time span of several hours. The presence of cytokeratin and oestrogen receptors in the cells suggests an epithelial derivation. Movement of tumour fragments of the type described here could potentially influence the metastatic process of some breast cancers.