QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS IN BREAST LUMPS USING IMAGE CYTOMETRY

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate image cytometry for detecting estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in breast lumps quantitatively. STUDY DES IGN: Fifty consecutive breast lumps were analyzed for EX and PX using the avidin-biotin complex on tissue sections. RESULTS: Mean EX-positiv e nuclear area percentage (PA%) for 25 invasive ductal carcinomas wits 47.81% and for PR was 57.83%. Mean EX PA% was 40.78% and PR 58.91% fo r seven invasive lobular carcinomas. There were two papillary carcinom as and one in situ ductal carcinoma. Fourteen of 15 benign breast lump s were benign breast lesions. Mean ER PA% was 65.95% and PR 73.43% for 10 fibroadenomas and for 4 fibrocystic lesions was 51.57% and 44.13%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Quantitative detection of EX and PX can be achieved by image cytometry. We aim in the future to assess this metho d in prognostic studies and the preoperative cytology of breast cancer s.