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Breast Cancer Research

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Open Access 01-02-2003 | Research article

Expression of androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen in male breast carcinoma

Authors: Noman Kidwai, Yun Gong, Xiaoping Sun, Charuhas G Deshpande, Anjana V Yeldandi, M Sambasiva Rao, Sunil Badve

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 1/2003

Abstract

Background

The androgen-regulated proteins prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP) are present in high concentrations in normal prostate and prostatic cancer and are considered to be tissue-specific to prostate. These markers are commonly used to diagnose metastatic prostate carcinoma at various sites including the male breast. However, expression of these two proteins in tumors arising in tissues regulated by androgens such as male breast carcinoma has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Methods

In this study we analyzed the expression of PSA, PSAP and androgen receptor (AR) by immunohistochemistry in 26 cases of male breast carcinomas and correlated these with the expression of other prognostic markers.

Results

AR, PSA and PSAP expression was observed in 81%, 23% and 0% of carcinomas, respectively. Combined expression of AR and PSA was observed in only four tumors.

Conclusion

Although the biological significance of PSA expression in male breast carcinomas is not clear, caution should be exercised when it is used as a diagnostic marker of metastatic prostate carcinoma.

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Title: Expression of androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen in male breast carcinoma
Authors: Noman Kidwai
Yun Gong
Xiaoping Sun
Charuhas G Deshpande
Anjana V Yeldandi
M Sambasiva Rao
Sunil Badve
Publication date: 01-02-2003
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Breast Cancer Research / Issue 1/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr733

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