Aromatase activity in adipose tissue from breast quadrants: A link with tumour site

Abstract

To determine the importance of local oestrogen biosynthesis within the breast, aromatase activity was measured in adipose tissue from the breast quadrants of 12 consecutive mastectomies from patients with breast cancer. Activity was detected in all samples (range 3-6-35-0 fmol oestrogen/mg protein/h) but varied considerably not only among different patients but also among the quadrants of individual breasts. The highest activity in a breast was always found in a quadrant that contained tumour. © 1988, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.