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Current Oncology Reports
Published in: Current Oncology Reports 1/2011

01-02-2011

The Need to Examine Metastatic Tissue at the Time of Progression of Breast Cancer: Is Re-biopsy a Necessity or a Luxury?

Authors: Mustafa Khasraw, Edi Brogi, Andrew D. Seidman

Published in: Current Oncology Reports | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Knowledge of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status is necessary for determining the optimal treatment of breast cancer patients. At the same time, the discordance between marker profiles (ER/PR and HER2) of primary and metastatic breast cancer is well documented. Whether discordant cases are secondary to “clonal selection” in the face of targeted anti-estrogen or anti-HER2 therapy or whether they are a laboratory artifact is still debated; both scenarios are likely. This article outlines current modalities for ER, PR, and HER2 testing in primary breast carcinoma and its metastases and reviews prospective and retrospective studies that have addressed these issues, as well as recent advances in the field.
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Metadata
Title
The Need to Examine Metastatic Tissue at the Time of Progression of Breast Cancer: Is Re-biopsy a Necessity or a Luxury?
Authors
Mustafa Khasraw
Edi Brogi
Andrew D. Seidman
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Oncology Reports / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1523-3790
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6269
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-010-0137-9

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