Clinical findings in relation to morphology in breast carcinoma

In 117 women with breast cancer, breast size, tumour size, suspicion of malignancy and clinical stage (Columbia Clinical Classification) were assessed clinically by palpation. Tumour size, degree of differentiation, malignancy grading (Ackerman), co-existent cystic fibroadenosis and axillary node metastases were assessed histopathologically. Differentiation was also assessed cytologically. There was good agreement between clinical and pathological measurements of tumour size. Ackerman's histopathological grading of malignancy correlated with the other criteria better than some other systems of malignancy grading. A higher histopathological malignancy grade was found in larger tumours and older patients. There was no clear relationship between cytological and histopathological malignancy grading. Lymph node metastases occurred three times more often in large breasts than in small ones, in spite of relatively slight differences in tumour size. Cancers in breast with cystic fibroadenosis were smaller, less malignant histopathologically and had fewer lymph node metastases than cancers in breasts without cystic fibroadenosis. "Definite cancer" on palpation was more often associated with a highly malignant tumour than a less suspected palpatory finding.