OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in fine needle aspirates (FNAs) and correlate the findings with its expression in tissue sections. STUDY DESIGN: In 38 cases of breast carcinoma, expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and ERbeta in aspirates and tissue sections was correlated with the cytologic and histologic grade of the tumor. RESULTS: ERalpha and ERbeta were expressed as nuclear staining in 80% and 90% of the cases in tissue sections and 47% and 45% of the cases in aspirates, respectively. Tissue expression of ERalpha (grade 1, 81%; grade 2, 100%) and ERbeta (grade 1, 94%; grade 2, 100%) was greater than in grade 3 tumors (ERalpha, 50%; ERbeta, 70%). In FNAs they were equally distributed in the different cytologic grades. In aspirates 30% of ERalpha negative tumors were positive for ERbeta, while in tissues 75% of ERalpha-negative tumors were positive for ERbeta (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Demonstration of ERbeta on FNA smears is feasible. It helps identify the specific subcohort of ERbeta-positive tumors in ERalpha-negative breast cancers; that may have therapeutic importance.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in fine needle aspirates (FNAs) and correlate the findings with its expression in tissue sections. STUDY DESIGN: In 38 cases of breast carcinoma, expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and ERbeta in aspirates and tissue sections was correlated with the cytologic and histologic grade of the tumor. RESULTS:ERalpha and ERbeta were expressed as nuclear staining in 80% and 90% of the cases in tissue sections and 47% and 45% of the cases in aspirates, respectively. Tissue expression of ERalpha (grade 1, 81%; grade 2, 100%) and ERbeta (grade 1, 94%; grade 2, 100%) was greater than in grade 3 tumors (ERalpha, 50%; ERbeta, 70%). In FNAs they were equally distributed in the different cytologic grades. In aspirates 30% of ERalpha negative tumors were positive for ERbeta, while in tissues 75% of ERalpha-negative tumors were positive for ERbeta (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Demonstration of ERbeta on FNA smears is feasible. It helps identify the specific subcohort of ERbeta-positive tumors in ERalpha-negative breast cancers; that may have therapeutic importance.