Utility of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2/neu analysis of multiple foci in multifocal ipsilateral invasive breast carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER-2/neu (HER2) testing multiple foci of ipsilateral invasive breast carcinoma at our institution and to evaluate resulting change in treatment recommendation.

METHODS

We identified 165 consecutive cases of multifocal invasive breast cancer over a 10-year period (2005-2014). Clinicopathologic features and treatment recommendation were assessed by slide and chart review.

RESULTS

Seventy (42.4%) of 165 patients had two or more foci tested. In the first 6 years (2005-2010), frequency of testing two or more foci was 31.6% and increased to 70.6% in 2014. Seven (10%) of 70 had a clinically significant difference in ER/PR and/or HER2 status, five (7.1%) with a difference in HER2, one (1.4%) in ER/PR, and one (1.4%) in both ER/PR and HER2. All cases with difference in status had different histology and/or the largest focus was the most positive one.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support current recommendations to evaluate additional smaller tumor foci in multifocal invasive breast cancer if the focus is of different grade or histology. Additional features, including specific histology, grade, and ER, PR, and HER2 status of the largest focus, should also be considered when selecting cases for which testing of additional foci may be of benefit.