Breast Tissue Markers Help Predict Cancer's Course

Related Encyclopedia • Adenocarcinoma of the Lung and Brain Metastases • Amenorrhea • Amniocentesis • Amniocentesis and CVS More... Related Healthscout Videos Zapping Vocal Tumors Keep Away Ovarian Cancer Breakthrough for Fatal Lung Disease Preventing Breast Cancer More... Related Animations • Breast Reduction • Breast Self-Exam Video • Colon Cancer • Erectile Dysfunction More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Detrol LA • Diflucan • Ditropan XL More... Related News Articles • Mood Disorders Put Breast Cancer Patients at Risk for PTSD • Training Student Leaders Cuts Peers' Smoking Rates • Young Adults Using Alcohol, Drugs for Better Sex • New Class of Drugs Might Treat Many Conditions More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

"In the old days, people thought -- and many people still think -- that a cancer is uniform," Eng added. "We know that's not true. Our bodies are made up of regions and layers. Previous studies just looked at the carcinoma or looked at everything mashed together."

Here, the researchers analyzed DNA from the epithelium (membrane tissue) and stroma of 220 breast cancer tumors.

They found eight genetic markers on seven chromosomes within the stroma that were associated with differences in features of the tumors, including the grade of the cancer and how likely it was to have spread to the lymph nodes.

Text Continues Below

---

By contrast, only one chromosomal region in the epithelium had any similar associations.

Getting these findings into doctors' offices to help patients is a long way off, however.

"The next step is to replicate the findings in an independent series," Eng said.

More information

For more information on breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2