The role of tumor markers in non-palpable breast cancers

Screening mammography and clinical breast examination are the best tools available for the diagnosis of breast carcinomas in asymptomatic women. Many studies have attempted to determine the pathological and biological characteristic findings in screening-detected cancers. Tumor size, histologic type, cytological grading and lymph node status have an important role in estimating the biological profile of non-palpable breast cancers. Tissue tumor markers, such as proliferation markers, hormone receptors, c-erbB-2 and p53 oncoproteins, bcl-2 gene and angiogenesis-related markers do not seem to distinguish mammographically detected tumors from clinically presented cancers. Further studies are needed to assess the prognostic role of certain biological factors in well-designed clinical studies along with long follow-up of screened patients.