This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
In Reply.—Dr Battifora has raised a question frequently confronted when considering whether or not a proliferative lesion seen in a breast biopsy specimen actually represents malignant change. The specimen under consideration contained an entire spectrum of pathologic change ranging from epithelial hyperplasia to invasive ductal carcinoma. Unfortunately, in obtaining the photomicrograph, the area submitted does demonstrate epithelial hyperplasia rather than noninvasive intraductal carcinoma. We thank Dr Battifora for pointing this out. There are areas of noninvasive intraductal carcinoma as well as invasive carcinoma in the same specimen, and we will be happy to submit the slides to Dr Battifora for his review.
We might mention that patients seen in the screening program have received their care in numerous hospitals throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Although the pathologist associated with the project does review slides forwarded to confirm diagnoses, such confirming studies are naturally considerably behind other phases of the project. The