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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Concordance between HER-2 and steroid hormone receptor expression between primary breast cancer, sentinel node
Leena Strien1, Marjut Leidenius, Karl von Smitten
1Department of Pathology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. leena.strien@hus.fi
Abstract:
Our aim was to compare the HER-2 and hormone receptor status between primary tumor (PT) and sentinel node (SN) metastases in breast cancer. We analyzed 65 PTs with 42 macrometastases, 18 micrometastases, and 5 ITCs for the HER-2 amplification status and for the hormone receptor status. In HER-2-positive PTs, 26 of 29 metastases were HER-2-positive, including all six analyzed micrometastases and ITCs. Three macrometastases were HER-2-negative. In HER-2-negative PTs, 35 of 36 metastases were HER-2-negative. A low-grade HER-2 amplification was detected in one micrometastasis. A full concordance between the PT and SN metastases in both HER-2 amplification and ER and PR status was observed in 40 of 56 (71%) cases. These 40 fully concordant cases included 27 macrometastatic, 9 micrometastatic, and 4 ITC-cases. The concordance in HER-2, ER, and PR was high between the PT and their SN metastases. However, the concordance may be remarkably lower when analyzed simultaneously for all three predictive factors.
