Improved detection of metastases to lymph nodes and estrogen receptor determination.
We present a new method for detection of micrometastases to axillary lymph nodes and estrogen receptor determination. Cellular suspensions from primary infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma or level I axillary lymph nodes of patients who underwent mastectomies were obtained, by loosely grinding fresh tumors or lymph nodes through a grid and then transferring the matrix to a slide using cytocentrifugation. Tumor samples were analyzed for estrogen receptor status using an immunocytochemical kit and compared with the dextran-coated charcoal method. Thirty-eight of 48 correlated (20 were estrogen positive, and 18 were estrogen negative). Seven of 46 were estrogen positive while results from the dextran-coated charcoal method were estrogen negative. One of 46 was estrogen negative, while the results from the dextran-coated charcoal method were estrogen positive. Lymph node slide preparations were stained to detect tumor cells using antikeratin monoclonal antibodies. Three of 8 node-negative patients were found to have micrometastases. Four of 15 node-positive patients had additional nodes with tumor. Our method combines the advantages of serial sectioning and immunohistochemical staining.
Department of Surgery, Evanston Hospital, Ill 60201.
S H
SH
Schurman
N
N
Sharon
R A
RA
Goldschmidt
E F
EF
Scanlon
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000556:secondary; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008408:Mastectomy; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D007633:Keratins