COMPARISON OF 2 METHODS OF STORING BREAST FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATES (FNAS) USING ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL ASSAY AS A METHOD OF EVALUATING THE STORAGE METHODS
Sa. Burton et al., COMPARISON OF 2 METHODS OF STORING BREAST FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATES (FNAS) USING ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL ASSAY AS A METHOD OF EVALUATING THE STORAGE METHODS, Cytopathology, 5(6), 1994, pp. 380-383
Two methods of storing fine needle aspirates were compared in 14 patie
nts with breast cancer. The methods of storage were: (1) as a Cytospin
slide prepared immediately from the aspirated material and stored at
- 80 degrees C; (2) as a suspension of cells in tissue culture medium,
stored at - 80 degrees C. The effect of storage on the cells was asse
ssed by means of an oestrogen receptor immunocytochemical assay (ER-IC
A). An ER positivity of 100% was obtained by ER-ICA staining of cells
after storage method 1, whilst all of the specimens stored by method 2
were ER-negative. The data demonstrate that cells stored in tissue cu
lture medium at - 80 degrees C are not suitable for ER measurement. Th
e storage method of choice for specimens intended for ERICA is as a Cy
tospin slide. The ER status of cells deposited on Cytospin slides prep
ared immediately and stored at - 80 degrees C for 2 years could be dem
onstrated despite the delay in processing the specimen.