[Hormonal Receptor and HER2 Analyses for Breast Cancer Using Cell Blocks in Routine Work: Experience at Our...

Hormonal receptor and HER2 analyses were performed in 20 cell blocks from breast cancer, mainly metastatic sites. The sites were as follows: 15 pleural effusions, 2 ascites, 1 cardiac effusion, 1 lymph node, and 1 cystic fluid from the primary site. Cancer cells were detected at 15 (75%) sites. The reasons of examination were as follows: unknown receptor status at the primary site (9 cases), multiple primary sites (3 cases), recurrence during hormone therapy (1 case), and new metastatic sites in originally metastatic disease patients (2 cases). The number of cells on each slide was fewer in routine work compared to that of our studies. We need new criteria for cytological analysis of receptor status measurement.