Department of Anatomical Pathology, Hiroshima University Hospital, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan. arihiro@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Among the evolving concepts of prognostic and predictive factors in breast carcinoma pathology are those relating to lymph node status, tumor size, histological type, histological grade, bone marrow micrometastasis, and lymphatic and blood vessel involvement. Correct identification based on a uniform and complete pathological evaluation of tumor specimens is vital to correctly decide treatment. In addition we describe inflammatory cell infiltrates in breast carcinoma as not only prognostic and predictive factors but also pleiotropic regulators and/or effectors.