Diagnostic utility of mammaglobin and GCDFP-15 in the identification of metastatic breast carcinoma in fluid specimens.
Morphologic differentiation of breast carcinoma from nonmammary malignancies in fluid specimens can be a diagnostic challenge. Immunocytochemistry is often employed in the differential diagnosis. In this study, we evaluated the expression of mammoglobin (MGB1) in body-cavity fluid specimens and compared its efficacy as a marker for metastatic breast carcinomas with that of gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15). Cell blocks from 40 fluid specimens were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies against MGB1 and GCDFP-15. They included 15 breast carcinomas and 25 nonmammary carcinomas (10 lungs, 10 ovaries, 3 gastrointestinal tracts, 1 kidney, and 1 urinary bladder). Positivity was defined as the presence of cytoplasmic staining in 10% or more carcinoma cells. Thirteen (87%) and seven (47%) breast carcinomas showed positive staining with MGB1 and GCDFP-15, respectively. Three (12%) nonmammary carcinomas (2 ovarian and 1 colonic) showed positive MGB1 staining; one (3%) nonmammary carcinoma demonstrated positive GCDFP-15 staining. The differences of MGB1 and GCDFP-15 staining between breast and nonmammary carcinomas were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both MGB1 and GCDFP-15 are specific markers for metastatic breast carcinomas in cell block fluid specimens (88 vs. 96%). However, MGB1 is more sensitive than GCDFP-15 as a marker for metastatic breast carcinoma (87 vs. 46%).
Yan
Z
Z
Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Gidley
J
J
Horton
D
D
Roberson
J
J
Eltoum
I E
IE
Chhieng
D C
DC
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014598:Uteroglobin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C488892:PIP protein, human; C556448:SCGB2A2 protein, human; D014598:Uteroglobin