Lectin binding in the male breast.

Twenty-four male breast lesions including ten normal, ten gynaecomastia, and four infiltrating carcinomas were studied for the presence and distribution of lectin binding carbohydrates. For comparison, tissue sections of five normal female breast lesions, ten each of fibrocystic disease, fibroadenoma, and carcinoma, were also included in this study. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were tested with Glycine maximus (SBA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Concanavalia ensiformis (Con A), Lotus tetragonolobus (LTA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSAI). The lectin-binding patterns were similar in normal, gynaecomastia, and carcinoma, and were not pathognomonic to any male breast lesion. These lectin reactive patterns in the male breast appear to be similar to those reported for the female breast lesions.