E-cadherin expression in breast carcinoma by the application of tissue microarray

Objective: To evaluate the expression of E-cadherin in different subtypes of breast carcinoma, to give evidences for clinical therapy programs and judgment of prognosis. Methods:Tissue microarray technology and immunohistochemistry (S-P) methods were used to detect the expression of E-cadherin in 48 cases of breast carcinoma (consisting of 43 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, 4 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma and 1 case of neuroendocrine carcinoma) respectively. The result was compared with the traditional pathological investigation. Thirteen cases of benign lesion of breast were used for comparison. Results: Forty-three cases of invasive ductal carcinoma and 4 cases of invasion lobular carcinoma of 48 cases of breast carcinoma were in 28～73 years (mean, 51.1 years). In 48 cases of breast carcinoma, 37 of 43 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma were E-cadherin positive, 86.0% (37/43) of all; none of 4 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma. Thirteen cases of benign lesion of breast expressed E-cadherin. Follow-up: 3 (7.0%) of 43 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma died; 2 (50.0%) of 4 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma died. Conclusion: E-cadherin can be used as an immunomarker to differentiate between invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. Tissue microarray technology has the advantages of high-throughput, conciseness, rapidity, high efficiency, low cost, nice reproducibility, etc. It has important practical significance and broad application prospect in pathology.