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Markers of metastatic carcinoma of breast origin
Author(s) -
Gown Allen M,
Fulton Regan S,
Kandalaft Patricia L
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12877
Subject(s) - mammaglobin , breast cancer , differential diagnosis , antibody , medicine , pathology , breast carcinoma , carcinoma , oncology , cancer , immunology
This review summarizes the three major breast‐associated markers that can be of assistance in evaluating metastatic carcinomas for which a breast primary diagnosis is entertained. These markers include gross cystic disease fluid protein‐15 ( GCDFP ‐15), mammaglobin, and GATA 3. The first two are cytoplasmic markers that show comparable sensitivities for breast cancer, although relatively few of the published studies have employed the same antibodies against the target molecule, making direct comparisons challenging. GATA 3 is a nuclear transcription factor that shows superior sensitivity to GCDFP ‐15 and mammaglobin. However, the specificity of GATA 3 can pose challenges, inasmuch as carcinomas of the bladder and other sites can show significant levels of positivity. Determination of the optimal panel of antibodies employed in a given clinical setting will thus depend on the non‐breast tumours included in the differential diagnosis.