Molecular markers of breast cancer cells identified in fine needle aspiration samples from resected sentinel lymph nodes.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze a procedure for breast cancer that requires performance of a molecular test before extensive intraoperative examination, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of surgically removed sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).


METHODS
The diagnostic accuracy of extensive histologic examination and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 101 SLNs from 98 breast carcinoma patients were compared with that of the evaluation of 2 specific mRNA markers by reverse transcriptase polymerase change reaction (mammaglobin and MUC-1). Cell specimens were obtained by FNAC of the SLNs immediately before freezing.


RESULTS
Metastases were detected on frozen sections in 19 cases (18.81%). IHC on serial sections confirmed the metastases and showed micrometastases or isolated tumor cells in 24 SLNs (23.76%). Mammaglobin was expressed in 20 FNAC specimens (19.80%). MUC-1 assay was positive in 11 cases only (10.89%).


CONCLUSIONS
This technique allows a complete histologic examination without sacrifice of part of the SLN and at the same time is a valuable diagnostic adjunct to the detection of occult tumor cells. Moreover, it is less expensive and time consuming than extensive IHC.
Cannone
Maria
M
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Policlinico Multimedica, Milan, Italy.
Oliveri
Claudio
C
Roz
Elena
E
Rispoli
Francesca
F
Ferrarese
Stefania
S
Alexiadis
Spyridon
S
Barberis
Massimo C P
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D014598:Uteroglobin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C060192:MUC1 protein, human; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C556448:SCGB2A2 protein, human; D014598:Uteroglobin