Mast Cells in Breast Cancer: A Correlation with SBR Grade, Hormone Receptor and Lymphnode Status

Introduction: Breast carcinoma is the most common non-skin malignancy among women. It is a complex disease in terms of microscopic features, therapeutic response, metastasis and patient outcome. The tumor associated mast cells are response to chemotactic factors released by tumour or its micro-environment. They contain molecules which promote survival with neovascularisation and matrix metalloproteases, needed for tumor invasion and metastasis. Objectives: To study the correlation of mean mast cell per high power field with Scarff Bloom Richardson grading, hormone receptor status and lymphnode status. Methods: Eighty surgically resected cases of breast carcinoma were included in the study. H&E stained and IHC Slides were retrieved from departmental archives. Metachromatic stain using 0.1% Toludine Blue was done on tumour tissue. Mast cells were counted using high power objective. Mean average of 10 HPF were derived and correlated with SBR grade, hormone receptor status and lymph node status. Results: In the study IDC NOS was most common histopathological type. Mean age of patients was 52.1 years with female predominance. Tumors belonging to SBR grade 1, ER positive tumours had higher mean mast cell count. However, mean mast cell count decreased with increased number of lymph nodes infiltrated by tumour cells. Conclusion: Mast cell count showed higher numbers with lower SBR grade of tumour and high numbers were noted with ER positive, PR positive and Her 2 neu positive tumours. However, mean mast cell count were less as the number of lymph nodes showing metastatic deposits increased.