[Drill biopsy and puncture biopsy for the determination of hormone receptors]

The assays of estrogen (ER) and even more progesterone (PR) receptors are highly required to elaborate the therapeutic strategy adapted to every breast cancer. In order to get this information in the absence of surgery (conservative treatment), three types of tissue sampling are available: drill-biopsy, "thru-cut", and fine needle aspiration. Reliable estimates of ER or PR can be obtained on drill-biopsy or "thru-cut" samples in about 80% of breast tumors measuring more than 2 cm. Fine-needle aspiration allows, up to now, only ER assay, in about 80% of all breast tumors.