Expression of the c-erbB2 proto-oncogene in male breast carcinoma: lack of prognostic significance.

Increase of gene activity of the proto-oncogene erbB2 which codes for the transmembrane kinase receptor p185erbB2 has been observed in > 30% of female breast and gynecological carcinomas. This overexpression was shown to be correlated with poor prognosis. We have investigated 38 samples of carcinomas of the male breast for p185erbB2 expression by using tumor thin sections and a monoclonal antibody. The immunostaining was compared to clinical data to assess a possible prognostic value of this parameter. Although most cases were immunopositive (36/38), no correlation to tumor grading and survival spans was notable. Therefore, erbB2 activity fails to add a new prognostic parameter in male breast carcinomas.