Histological grading and surface configuration of breast cancer cells. A comparative light microscopic, transmission and scanning electron microscopic study.

Scanning electron microscopic configuration of cells aspirated from breast cancer have been compared with histologic gradings according to the system proposed by Bloom and Richardson. The presence of pleomorphic microvilli correlated well with tumors grade I. The absence of pleomorphic microvilli correlated well with tumors grade III. Tumors graded as II showed a wide spectrum of surface configuration of cancer cells. It is possible that these observations may prove to be of prognostic value in breast cancer.