title: Histological category and expression of hormone receptors in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While the role of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status in invasive breast cancer has been clinically established, data with respect to their role in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (DCIS) are sparse.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 120 consecutive patients with DCIS I-III. Detailed histological categorization and immunohistochemical staining for ER and PR were performed and correlated with clinical data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DCIS I, DCIS II, and DCIS III were found in 51, 36 and 33 patients, respectively. Comedo-type tumors (p<0.001), presence of tumor necrosis (p<0.001) and absence of ER (p=0.005) were significantly associated with poorly-differentiated DCIS. No association was ascertained between PR expression and grade of DCIS. Hormone receptor expression was independent of the patients' menopausal status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We support the assumption that DCIS I-III is morphologically and biologically heterogeneous. Our results contribute further data on the role of ER and PR in the pathogenesis and progression of DCIS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany. antje.lebrecht@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lebrecht
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buchmann
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hefler
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lampe
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koelbl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone