[Effect of morphological parameters on steroid hormone receptor concentration in breast cancer]

The following morphological findings can lead to false negative results in steroid hormone receptor concentration tests: Tumour-free mammary tissue besides carcinoma tissue in the biochemically analysed specimen. Focal necroses of the tumour tissue. After exclusion of these findings, more than 80% of the tumours are positive for oestrogen receptors and more than 50% are positive for progesterone receptors in the cytosol. The histological type of tumour has no significant influence on the receptor status, with the exception of the medullary carcinoma of the breast. The semi-quantitatively determined tumour cell content of the invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast does not exercise any influence on the qualitative and quantitative receptor status. This means that tumours which are rich in cells largely consist of cells without receptors which do not respond to endocrine therapy.