Comparison of molecular markers expression in vacuum-assisted biopsies and surgical specimens of human breast carcinomas.

In this study, we examined whether vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) specimens provide an accurate immunohistochemical assessment of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), c-erbB-2, and p53 proteins. Thirty-seven consecutive cases with a VABB diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were included. The immunohistochemical expression of ER and PR, c-erbB-2, and p-53 was assessed in VABB and in surgical specimens with pathological concordance. The "clinically relevant concordance rate" (CRCR) was calculated. The CRCRs were 77.8%, 77.8%, and 89% for ER, PR, and c-erbB-2, respectively. Concerning both ER and PR, the clinically relevant expression was higher in VABB specimens. A difference in borderline significance arose concerning c-erbB-2 expression, pointing to more intense expression in the surgical specimens. The p53 percentage did not differ between the two groups. VABB specimens provide an accurate immunohistochemical assessment of molecular markers. However, bioptical-surgical discrepancies persisted even in this context of a larger quantity of tissue removed.