[Needle biopsies of sarcomas of the breast: cytomorphology and DNA cytophotometry (author's transl)].

When needle biopsies are done on all palpable changes in the breasts, some sarcomas of the breast can be found. The cytomorphology of this mesenchymal tumor is described and the differential cytology is discussed. In some of our cases the relative content of DNS of the cell nuclei in the smear was determined by quantitative cytophotometry in a Feulgen Stain. It was found that the DNS values of lymphosarcoma and spindle cell stromal sarcoma were within the norm of class 2C to 4C. The DNS content of angiosarcoma and polymorphous stromal sarcomas showed wide variations up to class 8 C. The result is discussed in view of automated cytological diagnosis.