Molecular classification of breast cancer: is it time to pack up our microscopes?

SummaryBreast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. The traditional classification uses morphology to divide tumours into distinct categories with differing prognosis and behavior. Despite providing high quality data cheaply, it has limitations and hence there has been a hope that the new molecular methods may help to refine the classification systems. Much has been learned in the last few years however, the molecular taxon-omy is still in evolution and likely to change over the coming years. Whether the molecular classification is as useful for special subtypes of breast cancers as it has been for ductal carcinoma, no special type, remains to be determined.