The estrogen hormone receptor (ER) content of human breast cancer has assumed an important role as a predictor of hormone therapy response and as a prognostic indicator. The conventional technique is the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) method or a ligand-binding assay (LBA) based on the measurement of radiolabeled steroids in cytosolic extracts of tissue homogenate. The recent introduction of monoclonal antibodies with high specificity for human ERs has allowed the application of immunocytochemical assays (ICA) in human cancer tissue. An extension of the ICA technique to cytologic specimens is also widely used. Our aim was to evaluate the reliability of ER-ICAs on fine needle aspirates(FNA) from breast cancer patients by comparing it with ER-ICAs and ER-LBAs performed on surgically removed tissues. During a recent 6-month period, ER-ICAs and ER-LBAs were performed in 83 cases. Among these 83 cases, only the 40 cases for which the ER-ICA and the ER-LBA were performed simultaneously ere included in this study. As positive cutoff values, we assumed 10 fmol/mg protein for the ER-LBAs and a semiquantitative score of 4 for the ER-ICAs. The results were as follows : 1) The ER positive rate was 55% (22/40) for ICAs and 47.5% (19/40) for LBAs. The concordance rate between the ER of ICAs and that of LBAs was 82.5% (33/40). 2) The Pearson correlation coefficient between ER-ICAs of fine needle aspirates and that of surgically removed tissue was good (r=0.94, p<0.005) 3) The Spearman correlation coefficient between ER-ICAs of fine needle aspirates and ER-LBAs of surgically removed tissue was good (r=0.57, p=0.0001) In conclusion, ER determination by using the fine needle aspirate is a reliable method in palpable breast cancer. FNA-ER may be a useful method when it is difficult to take sufficient breast cancer tissue, i.e., in cases of diffusely recurrent cancer, liver metastasis, malignant pleural effusion, etc.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biopsy* ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Charcoal ; Cytosol ; Estrogens* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Needles* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Steroids

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to introduce the prevention programs for musculoskeletal disorders in one farming village. METHODS: We visited the village hall 12 times and gave an education program 9 times to residents. At the beginning, the middle, and the end of the program, we evaluated musculoskeletal disorders by doctors, musculoskeletal pains using the visual analogue scale, muscular strengths and flexibilities and musculoskeletal functions using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Fifty seven residents participated in this program at least one time, 20 (35.1%) were males and 37 (64.9%) were females. The mean age of participants is 60.7 (+/-8.1). Forty three residents were evaluated by doctors at least one time. Thirty three residents were diagnosed to at least one musculoskeletal disease. The severity of pains of neck-shoulders, low backs, and leg-knees tended to decline while 3 tests went by and those of the 3rd test are less severe than the 1st test statistically significantly (p<0.05). Musculoskeletal functions were improved as tests went by but not differed statistically significantly. Muscular strengths and flexibilities were better in the 1st than the 3rd test statistically significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the program were held in off-season for farmers and the number of participants are small, through the program, musculoskeletal pains and functions were improved and muscular strengths and flexibilities were strengthened. We think that the program needs to be held during the busy farming season as well as the off-season.
Agriculture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Seasons