[Demonstration and possible prognostic value of the nucleolar organizer region (NOR), the microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B (MAP) and the intermediate filaments vimentin and cytokeratin 19 in invasive ductal breast carcinoma].

We examined the expression of the nucleolar organizer region, the microtubule-associated protein and the intermediate filaments vimentin and cytokeratin 19 and their possible value for prognosis in 51 infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas. We registered the highest NOR counts in pT2/3-tumors, in poorly differentiated breast carcinomas, in tumors with a strong MAP- and vimentin expression (this holds true for vimentin only in pT2/3-tumors). There was a relationship between areas of NOR and the differentiation degree on the one hand and the MAP- and vimentin expression on the other hand. The area of nucleolus increased with the decrease of differentiation and with the increase of vimentin expression, respectively. The expression of cytokeratin 19 showed no homogeneous relations to the traditional prognostic factors as well as to the parameters of the NOR. The area of nucleus had no prognostic value in our study. The value of the NOR is limited by its high variation. The NORs are suitable only as an adjuvant factor for the prognosis. Further studies into MAP and vimentin and their role in the prognosis of infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas appear to be important.