HER2/neu amplification in breast cancer: stratification by tumor type and grade.
The presence of HER2/neu gene amplification is prognostically and therapeutically significant for patients with breast cancer. We sought to determine whether a relationship exists between HER2/neu gene amplification and the histologic type and grade of tumor. The histologic features and corresponding HER2/neu amplification results of 401 cases of invasive breast carcinoma were reviewed. Lobular carcinomas were less likely than ductal carcinomas to have HER2/neu amplification. Amplification was less frequent in Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade I ductal carcinomas than in grades 2 and 3. Metastatic carcinomas frequently displayed HER2/neu amplification (6/20 [30%]). Our results support a correlation between HER2/neu amplification and the histologic type and grade of breast cancer. We suggest reexamination of tumors diagnosed as Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade I invasive ductal carcinomas or lobular carcinomas if the lesion displays HER2/neu amplification to assure the exclusion of a higher grade of lesion or of missed ductal components.
Hoff
Elise R
ER
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Tubbs
Raymond R
RR
Myles
Jonathan L
JL
Procop
Gary W
GW
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005784:Gene Amplification; D018628:Gene Dosage; D018734:Genes, erbB-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D012189:Retrospective Studies