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

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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberR18
JournalBreast Cancer Research
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 7 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Androgen receptor
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male breast carcinoma
  • Prostate-specific antigen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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