HER2/neu amplification in breast cancer: stratification by tumor type and grade

The presence of HER2/neu gene amplification is prognostically and therapeutically significant for patients with breast cancer. We sought to determine whether a relationship exists between HER2/neu gene amplification and the histologic type and grade of tumor. The histologic features and corresponding HER2/neu amplification results of 401 cases of invasive breast carcinoma were reviewed. Lobular carcinomas were less likely than ductal carcinomas to have HER2/neu amplification. Amplification was less frequent in Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade I ductal carcinomas than in grades 2 and 3. Metastatic carcinomas frequently displayed HER2/neu amplification (6/20 [30%]). Our results support a correlation between HER2/neu amplification and the histologic type and grade of breast cancer. We suggest reexamination of tumors diagnosed as Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade I invasive ductal carcinomas or lobular carcinomas if the lesion displays HER2/neu amplification to assure the exclusion of a higher grade of lesion or of missed ductal components.