Size of breast carcinomas at operation related to tumour growth rate.

The mean nuclear area (MNA) of breast carcinoma cells, previously shown to be related to prognosis, is here presented as a potential overall measure of tumour growth rate prior to operation. Recording of tumour diameter and MNA in 340 infiltrating breast carcinomas demonstrated that tumours of low MNA tended to present at a lower diameter that those of high MNA. The former have thus remained 'small' over a longer period, giving the woman more time to report them at this stage. It is suggested that mass screening from breast carcinoma may pick up these slow growing tumours, missing those of high growth rate unless the screening interval is correspondingly short.