2018 Volume 57 Issue 6 Pages 281-287
Objective : We have reported that use of 10% formalin-fixed cell blocks (CBs) is the best way to conduct receptor analysis in breast cancer cytology specimens. We conducted this study to examine if residual specimens after liquid-based cytology (LBC) could be used as same as formalin for the receptor analysis.
Study Design : Cell samples from excised breast cancers were fixed in six different types of fixatives : 10% buffered formalin ; BD CytoRich red preservative (BD solution) ; ThinPrep PreservCyt Solution (PreservCyt solution) ; TACASTM Ruby ; Cellprep Body Fluid, FNA Solution ; and 95% ethanol. The fixed cells were embedded in paraffin to prepare CBs. The following tests were performed : immunostainings for hormone receptors, HER2 protein, and the HER2 dual in situ hybridization (DISH) assay. The staining results were compared with those obtained from the corresponding formalin-fixed CBs.
Results : Only BD solution-fixed cell blocks yielded the same results as the formalin-fixed cell blocks.
Conclusion : BD solution-fixed cell blocks can be used as an alternative to formalin-fixed cell blocks for breast cancer receptor analysis.