The problem of multiple lesions of the breast

The concept of multicentricity of cancer of the breast is not new; however, reinvestigation of its prevalence is now necessary because of the currently wider recognition of noninfiltrating and minute cancers. A technique is described for whole organ studies correlating radiographic, subgross, and microscopic findings. Comparative studies of surgical specimens and autopsy specimens are in progress. If minimal and multicentric lesions are found to be as prevalent in autopsy specimens as in surgical specimens this would indicate either low expressivity or long latency for the development of clinical infiltrating cancers. However, if there is a significant difference in incidence of minimal lesions in autopsy specimens compared with surgical specimens, this finding would provide great incentive to develop screening programs to find and treat patients with these early lesions.