c‐erbB‐2 and p53 expression in breast cancer fine needle aspirates

The aim of this study was to co‐evaluate c‐erbB‐2 and p53 protein expression in breast cancer fine needle aspirates (FNA) and to compare this with histological variables and the immunohistochemical phenotype of the tumours. Furthermore, we assessed the relationship of c‐erbB‐2 and p53 immunocytochemical expression to tumour prognostic factors. We examined 124 breast cancer FNAs and 79 matched surgical specimens using the avidin–biotin complex (ABC) and the alkaline phosphatase immunocytochemical techniques. C‐erbB‐2 immunopositivity was detected in 37.9% of the FNAs, while 31.7% were positive for p53. A statistically significant correlation was observed between p53 negativity and absence of c‐erbB‐2 immunostaining in the FNAs (P=0.0007). Smears from infiltrating ductal carcinomas tended to be more frequently positive for p53 (36.7%) than those from lobular carcinomas (11.7%) (P=0.054). In matched tumour tissues, c‐erbB‐2 was positive in 16.7% and p53 in 19% of cases. The immunocytochemical results for both c‐erbB‐2 and p53 were significantly correlated with the immunohistochemical results. There was no correlation between c‐erbB‐2 and p53 immunostaining, in both FNAs and tissues, and patients’ menopausal status, tumour size, grade and lymph node status.