The Examination of Neoplasms of the Breast and Skin by the Method of Micro-incineration

An investigation of the inorganic salt content of neoplasms seemed appropriate since the technique of micro-incineration, recently adapted to cytological problems (Scott 1 ) offers a precise method for ascertaining whether the mineral salts in malignant tissues differ in kind and amount from the normal. An examination by micro-incineration of those questionable lesions, considered by many as precancerous or having some relation to subsequent malignant change, seemed of especial interest. This report is limited to an investigation of neoplasms of the breast and skin, including mucous membranes covered with squamous epithelium, by the method described by Policard 2 and by Scott. 3

Breast. The ash obtained by micro-incineration of a section of normal resting breast is flat white, indicating (according to Policard) the presence of calcium. The residue is more dense in the epithelium lining the ducts and alveoli than in the connective tissue. In the former the original cell outlines are readily determined because of the heavy ash concentration in the nuclei. Here the particles may vary in size, while in the cytoplasm minerals are deposited as fine, uniform stipplings. In the stroma calcium is deposited in long, punctate strands, conforming to the arrangement of collagenic fibers.

In the varied lesions known as “chronic cystic mastitis”, marked differences were observed, corresponding in degree with the state of the duct and alveolar epithelium noted in stained control sections. In that type of chronic mastitis with cystic enlargement of the ducts and no evidence of proliferation of the duct epithelium, the residue of the ducts, as well as that of the stroma, is white. In the stroma it is possibly in greater than normal concentration. Where one sees, in the stained section, in addition to cyst formation, evidence of epithelial proliferation, the character of the ash in the incinerated section changes decidedly.