Overexpression of Her2/neu,estrogen and progesterone receptors in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast

BACKGROUND: Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMC) of the breast is a rare subtype of breast carcinoma that has an extremely high incidence of lymph node metastasis and poor clinical outcome. Furthermore, there has been interest in the prognostic markers related to the biological characteristics of breast carcinoma, such as the status of Her2/neu, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 671 cases of primary breast carcinoma which were surgically resected between 1990 and 2003. Of these, 27 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast with a pure or partial micropapillary component were reported. Tests for Her2/neu protein, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) were performed on paraffin sections. The relationship among these markers was analyzed and statistical significance determined by chi-square test. CONCLUSION: The rate of Her2/neu protein overexpression, ER and PgR status was quite similar to those of common breast carcinomas.