Correlation of HER-2/neu overexpression with mammography and age distribution in primary breast carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
HER-2/neu is a valuable prognostic and therapeutic marker in primary breast carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine the mammographic and patient characteristics (age) that correlate with HER-2/neu overexpression in primary breast carcinoma.


METHODS
HER-2/neu characteristics and preoperative mammograms were available in 498 patients with 543 primary breast carcinomas (526 invasive carcinomas and 17 ductal carcinoma in situ). HER-2/neu status was determined by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. For evaluation of patient age distribution, age was divided into 5 groups. For mammography, breast composition and abnormal findings were categorized. Abnormal findings were divided into mass, calcification, architectural distortion, asymmetric density, or none.


RESULTS
For age distribution, women under than 50 years had more frequent HER-2/neu overexpression than women aged 60-69 years (P < .05). On mammography, there was no significant correlation between breast composition and HER-2/neu status (P > .05). Calcifications were more significantly frequent in carcinomas with HER-2/neu overexpression (56%) than in those without HER-2/neu overexpression (40%) (P = .001). Of the 242 carcinomas with calcifications on mammography, fine linear morphology was more significantly frequent in carcinomas with HER-2/neu overexpression (20%) when compared with those without HER-2/neu overexpression (10%) (P = .023). Diffuse distribution of calcifications was more common in carcinomas with HER-2/neu overexpression (11%) compared with carcinomas without HER-2/neu overexpression (5%) (P = .051).


CONCLUSIONS
HER-2/neu overexpression in primary breast carcinoma is correlated with patients' age (under age 50) and calcifications at mammography.
Seo
Bo Kyoung
BK
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Korea University, 516 Kozan 1-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Kyungki-do 425-707, Korea. seoboky@korea.ac.kr
Pisano
Etta D
ED
Kuzimak
Cherie M
CM
Koomen
Marcia
M
Pavic
Dag
D
Lee
Yeonhee
Y
Cole
Elodia B
EB
Lee
Juneyoung
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases