DETERMINATION OF KI67 GROWTH FRACTION AND ESTROGEN-RECEPTORS IN SCREEN-DETECTED BREAST-CANCER USING CYTOLOGICAL PREPARATIONS

Oestrogen receptor (ER) status of 77 cases of screen-detected breast c ancer has beep determined using cytological preparations. In 48% ER st atus was positive, which was the same proportion as that formed in a c ontrol group of age-matched patients with symptomatic breast carcinoma . Since the screen-detected group contained more low grade tumours, th e percentage of ER-positive cases would be expected to be higher. The reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. Ki67 score has been determi ned for 41 cases of screen-detected cancer. Ki67 score showed a positi ve correlation with histological tumour grade and a negative correlati on with ER status. However, there was no correlation with tumour size or lymph node status. The Ki67 scores in the screen-detected cancers w ere essentially similar to those found in an age-matched symptomatic g roup, but the very low scores were only found in the screened group.