Immunohistochemistry in Breast Disease: Uses and Pitfalls
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has an important role in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions, in differentiating benign from neoplastic lesions, in situ from invasive carcinomas, as well as helping pathologists separate carcinomas that require different clinical management. IHC may also help distinguish metastatic tumors from breast primary. Due to the high prevalence of breast cancer, a metastasis from primary breast cancer is frequently considered in a differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinomas in female patients, even for those without a history of breast cancer. IHC is invaluable in differential diagnosis of metastatic breast carcinoma from other malignancies.
