Detection of micrometastasis in the bone marrow of patients with breast cancer

Objectives: To study the relationship between bone marrow micrometastasis of breast cancer and clinical stage and metastasis. Methods:Bone marrow epithelial membrane antigen(EMA) positive cells from patients with breast cancer were measured by immunocytochemistry using an antibody probe. Results: EMA positive cells were detected in the bone marrow of 33 patients(57%), the positive rates correlated with the stage of patients, and the recurrence rate in patients with bone metastasis were higher than those without metastasis. There was significant difference between screen smear and EMA method in detecting bone marrow micrometastasis. Conclusions: The method of detecting EMA positive cells is important in evaluating the stage of patients with breast cancer and to know whether patients have recurrence and bone metastasis.