ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) of the breast seems unsuitable for rapid processing due to large size. We tested microwave-based acceleration. METHODS: As a proof-of-principle study, 9-gauge VAB specimens were taken from eight mastectomy specimens. Forty-two biopsy specimens were processed. Quality of H&E was evaluated in 84 slides, and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), E-cadherin, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) stains were evaluated in six slides. Preoperative biopsy specimens were used as a control. RESULTS: Diagnostic quality of H&E slides was good in 87%, reasonable in 12%, and low in 1%. Quality of E-cadherin was good in 75% and reasonable in 25%. Quality of ER was good in 83% and reasonable in 17%. PR and both HER2 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization were good in all slides. Quality of experimental slides was similar to control slides. CONCLUSIONS: Nine-gauge VAB specimens can be processed within 4 hours. Slides are suitable for all routine pathologic stains. This enables a same-day diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Antigens, CD/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cadherins/metabolism , Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Biopsy, Needle , Breast/metabolism , Breast/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Mastectomy , Receptors, Estrogen/analysis , Receptors, Progesterone/analysis , VacuumABSTRACT
With the introduction of new biological agents for cancer treatment enabling 'personalized medicine', treatment decisions based on the molecular features of the tumour are more common. Consequently, tissue evaluation in tumour pathology is becoming increasingly based on a combination of classical morphological and molecular analysis. The results of diagnostic tests rely not only on the quality of the method used but, to a large extent, also on the quality of specimens, which is dependent on the pre-analytical procedures and storage. With the introduction of predictive immunohistochemical and molecular tests in clinical pathology, improvement and standardization of pre-analytical procedures has become crucial. The aim of this review is to increase awareness with regard to tissue handling and for standardization of the pre-analytical phase of a diagnostic process. In addition, several processing steps in tissue handling that need to be improved in order to obtain the quality needed for modern molecular medicine will be discussed. Optimal, standardized procedures are crucial if a high standard of test results is to be achieved, which is what each patient deserves.
