Research article summary (published 30 Oct 2009):

Assessment of "grading" with Ki-67 and c-kit immunohistochemical expressions may be a helpful tool in management of patients with flat epithelial atypia (FEA) and columnar cell lesions (CCLs) on core breast biopsy.

Full Abstract

It is essential to reach a better understanding of "flat epithelial atypia/columnar cell lesions" (FEA/CCLs) in breast core biopsies. Our aim was to explore their biological nature, in order to predict the likelihood of an upgrade to carcinoma. "Cytological grading" has been specially focused, in view of its possible utility in the choice of management. One hundred thirty of a total of 900 cases core needle (CN)/vacuum-assisted biopsies (VABs), with diagnoses of "hyperplasia" and "atypia" were retrospectively re-evaluated. Pathological findings of further excision biopsies (FEBs) performed in 40/75 patients with follow-up were compared with the previous diagnoses. In all cases, both Ki-67 and c-kit immunoreactivities were explored and compared with both normal breast tissues and subsequently documented cancers, with special reference to the hyperplastic FEA/CCLs, with "mild" atypia (FEA/CCHAm). Sixteen cases were re-diagnosed as "usual ductal hyperplasia" (UDH), 60 as "columnar cell hyperplasia" (CCH), and 54 as FEA/CCHA, 30 of which FEA/CCHAm and 24 FEA/CCHAh (with high atypia). Significantly, the Ki-67 index proved to be on the increase and c-kit expression on the decrease in FEA/CCHA lesions, mainly in the FEA/CCHAh group and in the subsequently observed cancers, compared with either benign tissues or the FEA/CCH cases. It was also significant that most of the carcinomas were found in FEBs within the FEA/CCHAh group. In this study cytological grading, together with Ki-67 and c-kit indices, proved to be helpful in FEA/CCLs evaluation. With regard to FEA/CCHAm lesions, an adequate surveillance appears to be a more appropriate management tool than FEB, as a result of their biological nature and behavior.

Author information

Author/s: Tomasino, Rosa M (RM); Morello, Vincenza (V); Gullo, Arianna (A); Pompei, Giancarlo (G); Agnese, Valentina (V); Russo, Antonio (A); Rinaldi, Gaetana (G);

Affiliation: Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of cellular physiology (J Cell Physiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 221 (issue 2) : pp 343-9

Dates: Created 2009/08/27; Completed 2009/09/09;

PMID: 19585492, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/9/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Aged Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology Biopsy Breast - pathology Epithelial Cells - pathology

Female Humans Immunohistochemistry - methods Ki-67 Antigen - metabolism Middle Aged Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Antibodies, Monoclonal (0) ; Ki-67 Antigen (0) ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit (EC 2.7.1.112)

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