[Foam cells in mammary gland dysplasia in women]

A group of 228 female breast biopsy specimens was found to include 85 cases of large fat-containing foam elements in the duct walls. The localization of those cells and their incidence were examined in relation to the original epithelium; series sections were used in 12 cases. The results suggested these elements to be of myoepithelial than histiocytic origin even if found in the vicinity of the ducts where it often proved possible to see breaches of duct basal membrane continuity, and the connection between cell changes in the epithelium and outside the duct.