Editorial
The transition from ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive breast cancer: the other side of the coin
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Correspondence: Stuart J Schnitt sschnitt@bidmc.harvard.edu
Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Breast Cancer Research 2009, 11:101 doi:10.1186/bcr2228
Published: 27 February 2009Abstract
The factors associated with the progression of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive breast cancer are poorly understood. Many studies of this subject focus on the role of molecular and genetic alterations in the neoplastic epithelial cells. However, emerging evidence suggests that transition from DCIS to invasive cancer is strongly dependent upon alterations in the microenvironment. The potential roles of myoepithelial cells and of stromal-epithelial interaction are of particular interest in this regard.