OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of high-molecular-weight keratins CK5/6, CK14, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in differential diagnosis of simple ductal hyperplasia (UDH), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (low-grade DCIS) .

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of twenty cases of atypical ductal epithelial hyperplasia (ADH) with focal cancerization changed into low-grade DCIS diagnosed at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2013 and February 2014 were reviewed and analyzed. The expressions of CK5/6, CK14, ER and PR were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSPositive expressions of CK5/6 and CK14 were seen in UDH showing a mosaic pattern, while negative expression in ADH and low-grade DCIS. In addition, CK5/6 and CK14 were positively expressed in the myoepithelial cells of UDH, ADH and low-grade DCIS. Positive expressions of ER and PR were observed in UDH, ADH and low-grade DCIS. But they presented diffuse and homogeneous strong positive expression in ADH and variable positive expression in UDH.

CONCLUSIONIn the intraductal proliferative lesions of the breast, the use of combined detection of the expression of CK5/6, CK14, ER and PR is of practical significance in the differential diagnosis of UDH, ADH and low-grade DCIS.

Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-14 ; metabolism ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Keratin-6 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism