Abstract:
Objective To explore the expression of E-cadherin and p120 catenin in invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma(ILC) and their significance for differential diagnosis.
Methods A total of 60 cases with IDCs, 48 invasive lobular carcinomas, and 20 invasive carcinomas with mixed ductal and lobular features were collected from No.113 Hospital of People's Liberation Army.An immunohistochemical study for E-cadherin and P120 catenin was performed using a streptavidin–peroxidase method.
Results The positivity rates for E-cadherin in IDC and classic ILC were 85%(51/60) and 0%, respectively(P < 0.01).The positivity rates for p120 catenin were 100% in both IDC(membranous staining) and classic ILC(cytoplasmic staining).E-cadherin and p120 catenin were used to classify 20 mixed carcinomas into 16 IDCs and 4 ILCs.No significant difference was found in E-cadherin expression level in different histological types of IDC was indicated.However, E-cadherin expression was coincided with lymph node metastasis(P < 0.05).
Conclusion E-cadherin and p120 catenin are useful immunomarkers to distinguish IDCs from ILCs and thus can be used in routine immunohis to chemistry in breast cancer.The E-cad expression level coincides with lymph node metastasis in IDC.