Cytoplasmic mucous globules in lobular carcinoma in situ. Diagnosis and prognosis.

In 87 cases of lobular carcinoma in situ, 64 contained mucous globules in more than 25% of the cells. Eighteen, however, had no or only a few mucous globules. In cancerization of lobules by duct carcinoma and in benign hyperplastic lesions, only a few cells contained mucous globules. The presence of many of these globules may be helpful in the diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in situ. On the other hand, the quantitation of mucous globules in lobular carcinoma in situ is not of prognostic significance.