Dr. Burke:

See:

Allred DC, et.al.  Estrogen receptor expression as a predictive marker of
the effectivemess of Tamoxifen in the treatment of DCIS: Findings from NSABP
protocol B-24.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, Vol 76, Supplement 1, December 2002.

Presented at the 25th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Carlos Genty

Pathology Core Laboratory
Breast Center
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas


-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Burke, MD [mailto:pburke@nmcinc.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 9:56 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: RE: Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors on DCIS


I have heard this issue raised before and what I have learned is (1) high
grade DCIS has been shown to be almost always negative for ER & PR receptors
and (2) no one is quite sure what to do with the results of ER PR
determinations in DCIS. I am not aware of any change in the clinical
management of the patient with DCIS dependent on ER & PR status.

Peter R. Burke, MD
Northwestern Medical Center
Saint Albans, Vermont


-----Original Message-----
From: Bell, Lynne [mailto:Lynne.Bell@hitchcock.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 10:19 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors on DCIS


One of our pathologists just informed me that our oncologists would like us
to do ER and PR's on all cases with ductal carcinoma insitu.  Is anyone else
doing this?  As about 30% of the breast tissue we receive has DCIS, this is
going to significantly impact our workload, which leads me to my next
question.  Does anyone have some ideas for a small, reliable immunostainer?


Thanks so much for you help,

Lynne Bell, HT (ASCP)
Lead Histotechnician
Central Vermont Hospital
Barre, VT