Correlation of estrogen receptor level and lipid staining in breast carcinoma

Intracytoplasmic lipid was demonstrated in 10% or more of the cells in 13 (26%) of 50 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinomas and in four (14.8%) of 27 ER-negative breast carcinomas. Thus, proportionately more positive tumors contained significant amounts of intracytoplasmic lipid. The difference, however, was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the presence of lipid as a test to predict the ER status is not useful because of its low efficiency and predictive value.