Immunohistochemical features of multifocal and multicentric lobular breast carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Patient age, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, expression of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors, as well as the histological grade, are widely accepted prognostic and predictive parameters in breast carcinoma. In invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), the prognostic factors, such as nodal status and tumor size are believed to be the most valuable ones. The aim of this was set to determine the possible linkage between MFity/MCity of ILC and immunohistochemical predictive (ER, PR, HER2) and prognostic parameters (BRCA1, p53, E-cadherin, Ki-67).

MATERIAL/METHODS: Out of 2486 cases diagnosed with BC from south-eastern Serbia, the presence ILC was noted in 334 cases. Immunohistochemical characterization of predictive and prognostic parameters in ILC was done.

RESULTS: The occurrence of multifocal (MFC) and multicentric carcinoma (MCC) was observed in 18.9% of ILC. Bilateral (BL) BCs were found to be statistically significantly more frequent in younger women, compared to those with MFC, MCC or nonMFC/MCC/BL. No significant correlation was found between MFC/MCC and the presence of axillary lymph node metastases, and expression of immunohistochemical predictive and prognostic parameters. Based on literature data and the findings from the current work, MFity/MCtiy might represent negative morphologic prognostic parameters in ILC.

CONCLUSIONS: In 334 cases analyzed, no statistically significant correlations were observed between MF/MC and the expression of immunohistochemical predictive and prognostic parameters.