Epithelial-nerve intermingling in benign breast lesions.

Intimate intermingling of benign ductal epithelium and nerves was observed in two specimens of breast tissue with extensive adenosis and papillomatosis. The ducts were not situated within lymphatic channels. Rencent investigations have cast doubt on the very existence of "perineural-lymphatics." And while perineural and intraneural spread of malignant cells is unquestionably frequent, growth and extension seemingly occur along loose connective tissue spaces and not within preformed channels. We suggest that the designation "epithelial-nerve intermingling" appropriately describes this phenomenon, and, whereas this is most frequently found with carcinomatous cells, benign epithellum may and, occasionally does, participate. Thus, epithelial-nerve intermingling is neither necessarily indicative of malignant neoplasia nor should it be a decisive criterion in determining the extension of known malignant neoplasm, unless the epithelial cells are clearly atypical.