Non-palpable breast carcinomas: correlation of mammographically detected malignant-appearing microcalcifications and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family expression

Abstract

Malignant-appearing microcalcifications (MAMCs) represent one of the earliest mammographic findings of non-palpable breast carcinomas (NPBCs). In the present study, we have evaluated the expression of all EGFR family members in NPBCs and its possible association with MAMCs. Three hundred and fifty patients with non-palpable suspicious breast lesions detected during screening mammography were studied. EGFR family proteins' expression was found to be present since the preclinical phase of breast carcinomas and was strongly correlated (except HER-3) with MAMCs. The co-expression pattern of EGFR family members combined with other molecular prognostic factors and the mammographic appearance might predict the natural history of NPBCs.