types

Last reviewed 03/2022

Two broad types of ductal carcinoma in situ are recognised:

  • comedo-type tumours are characterised by:
    • pleomorphic cells ductal epithelial cells obliterate the lumina of the ducts and grow along them
    • eventually solid cords of anaplastic cells
    • central necrosis
    • microcalcification
    • associated with multicentric disease
    • high expression of C-erb2 oncogene

  • non-comedo type tumours are characterised by:
    • variable histology:
      • cribriform
      • micropapillary
      • clinging
      • solid
    • less frequent:
    • mitoses
      • necrosis
      • calcification

Often, comedo and non-comedo types occur simultaneously.