Utility and pitfalls of GATA3 immunocytochemistry for diagnosis of metastatic breast carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma on cytology specimens

Bing Leng, Ming Guo, Jun Zhao, Yun Gong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction Although GATA3 expression has been studied extensively on histology specimens and has demonstrated a high level of accuracy in detecting carcinomas from breast or urothelial origin, its utility on cytology samples, especially the influence of different sample (fine-needle aspiration [FNA] versus effusion fluid) and preparation (cell block versus smear) on the staining, is understudied. Materials and methods We retrospectively searched our institution's pathology database for cytologic cases where GATA3 immunostaining was performed during diagnostic workup and identified a total of 178 cases, consisting of 89 metastatic breast carcinomas, 22 metastatic urothelial carcinomas, and 67 malignant neoplasms of other origin. Frequency of GATA3 expression was evaluated in each group. Results For metastatic breast carcinomas, 75% expressed GATA3; 74% on FNA samples and 77% on fluid samples; 71% on cell block and 89% on smear. GATA3 was positive in 44% triple-negative breast carcinomas. Of the 22 metastatic urothelial carcinomas (21 FNA samples and 1 fluid; 21 cell blocks and 1 smear), all were positive for GATA3. Of the 67 malignancies of other origin, 4 (6%) were positive for GATA3 (ie, a metastatic ovarian serous carcinoma, a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, a recurrent poorly differentiated skin adnexal carcinoma, and a metastatic thymic carcinoma). Conclusions GATA3 is a useful biomarker for detecting carcinomas of breast or urothelial origin on cytologic specimens. It may detect breast cancers with the triple-negative phenotype. Both cell block and smear preparations can be reliably used for the staining. GATA3-positive immunostaining is occasionally seen in other tumors, which may cause diagnostic confusion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)73-79
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Society of Cytopathology
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2017

Keywords

  • Breast
  • Cytology
  • FNA
  • GATA3
  • Immunocytochemistry
  • Urothelial

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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