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Hormone receptor studies in axillary metastases from occult breast cancers
Author(s) -
Bhatia Sonjai K.,
Saclarides Theodore J.,
Witt Thomas R.,
Bonomi Philip D.,
Anderson Kenning M.,
Economou Steven G.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19870315)59:6<1170::aid-cncr2820590623>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , occult , estrogen receptor , breast carcinoma , hormone receptor , progesterone receptor , mammography , hormone , receptor , estrogen , carcinoma , oncology , axillary lymph nodes , pathology , cancer , alternative medicine
Abstract The authors describe 11 patients with occult breast carcinoma, who initially presented with axillary nodal metastases of unknown origin. In all 11 cases, physical examination and mammography results were normal. Steroid hormone receptor studies were done on tissue from all 11 axillary masses and 2 masses underwent lactalbumin staining as well. In 8 of the 11 patients these studies were positive, suggesting breast as the primary tumor site. Estrogen (30 to 445 fmol/g) or progesterone (30 to 1059 fmol/g) receptors, or both, were positive in seven cases. Although a breast carcinoma was subsequently found in all 11 patients, receptor studies on the primary tumor could not be done in every instance. The authors conclude that performing steroid hormone receptor assays on axillary metastases from occult tumors not only may provide information regarding the identity of the primary tumor but also may be the sole opportunity to determine its hormone receptor status. Cancer 59:1170‐1172, 1987.