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Discrepancy in ER levels of breast carcinoma in biopsy vs mastectomy specimens
Author(s) -
Young Shun C.,
Burkett Richard Jerry,
Stewart Charles
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930290116
Subject(s) - medicine , mastectomy , biopsy , breast carcinoma , carcinoma , gynecology , general surgery , oncology , breast cancer , radiology , cancer
The presence of estrogen receptors (ER) in breast tumors has been used by many as the major indicator for hormonal treatment of breast cancer. However, multiple factors have been shown to be involved in determining the hormone dependence of breast cancer. This paper reports another factor that influences the accuracy of ER determination. From January 1977 through December 1983 fifty‐eight (58) of these patients had ER determination of both biopsy and mastectomy specimens. Of the 31 patients that remained ER positive in mastectomy specimen, 13 had significantly lower ER levels (by at least 50%) from the mastectomy specimens. These findings indicate that ER status is greatly influenced by the source of the specimen.