Mast cells and metachromasia in human breast cancer: Their occurrence, significance and consequence: A preliminary report

Metachromasia of the connective tissue in 50 human breast carcinomas following staining with toluidine blue was associated with mast cell degranulation and granular depletion. When present at the tumour edge it marked areas of infiltrative growth, accompanied by a mild vascular response consistant with the release of vasoactive substance from the mast cells. The rôle of this inflammatory response in local tumour spread is discussed.