Concentrations of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin in breast cyst fluid and their relation with cyst type.

Gross cystic breast disease may be associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. There are two groups of mammary cysts: those lined by apocrine epithelium (intracystic sodium to potassium (Na:K) ratio < 3) and those lined by flattened epithelium (intracystic Na:K ratio > 3). Cell adhesion molecules may be involved in various stages of tumour metastasis. Intracystic levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) were measured. Significantly greater concentrations of sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin occurred in the high-electrolyte ratio group than in the low (P < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin (rs = 0.827, P < 0.001) which may be a chance observation or suggest a common mechanism of entry into mammary cysts. The significance of these soluble cell adhesion molecules in breast cyst fluid requires elucidation.