Detection and significance of sex hormone receptors by fine needle aspiration cytology in breast carcinomas

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of sex hormone receptors (SHRS) detection by fine needle aspiration cytological (FNAC) smears of breast carcinomas.Methods Forty-two cases of FNAC smears of breast carcinomas were assayed with monoclonal antibodies against estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) by immunohistochemical stains and the results were compared with those of the histological sections of surgical specimens.Results The overall concordance rate of ER and PR was 83.3% and 80.95% respectively when the FNAC smears compared with paraffin sections.Conclusion The results of FNAC smears are as reliable as those obtained from the histological sections. FNAC is simple,convenient,and particularly important in selecting endocrine therapy for the patients not suitable to surgical treatment.