Quantitative assessment of oestrogen and progesterone receptors on fine-needle aspirates and cryostat sections of breast carcinomas: how does this compare with biochemical assays?

In this study monoclonal antibodies to oestrogen receptors in the ER-ICA kit (Abbott) and to progesterone receptors (Biogenex) were used to determine the presence of those receptors in fine needle aspirates and cryostat sections. The degree of positivity is semi-quantitated and the results compared to biochemical assays (Dextran-Coated Charcoal Method) performed on the same specimens. Out of 14 cases that were positive on the biochemical assay, 11 (77%) were positive on ER-ICA performed on the FNA material, and there was a 100% agreement on the cryostat sections (11/11). PR-ICA on the cytospin smears and cryostat sections agreed in 63% and 90% respectively.