[The characteristics of lectin distribution and level in breast dysplasias and cancers]

During the malignant progression changes occur in the composition and content of carbohydrates in the cellular membrane. We studied distribution of lectin receptors SBA, PNA, WGA and HPA in dysplasias and human breast cancer. We established that malignancy is associated with the increase in mosaic staining and shift of lectin receptors from the apical or basal pole of acinar epithelium and ducts to the whole plasmolemma surface, homogeneous staining of cytoplasm and nuclei of tumor cells. It is evident that distribution of lectines in dysplasias and malignant mammary tumors may serve a diagnostic marker and indicator in predicting metastatic potential.