[Whole organ subserial section examination of occult breast carcinoma]

In mastectomy specimens, the primary foci of occult breast carcinoma were examinated usually by routine histopathological method, but the result was not satisfactory. The detecting rates of primary foci were 50%-56% in China and 45%-75% in some other countries. In this study, whole organ subserial section was performed in 20 cases of occult breast cancer from April, 1988 to February, 1994. Primary foci were found in 16 cases (80%) by microscopic examination. Diameters of 10 foci were less than 1.0cm and the smallest one was 0.3 x 0.1 x 0.1cm. In addition, occult breast cancer with multiple foci was detected in 5 cases (31.25%), which would be very difficult to be found by routine histopathological examination. The possible causes for the failure of detection of the primary foci on whole organ section are discussed.