The immunohistochemical diagnosis for estrogen and progesterone receptors must be carried out in the tracking of every primary tumor, benign or malign, especially in the case of in situ carcinoma.
Material and method: We have studied the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in benign lesions, identifying phenotypes depending on the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors.
Results: The result "positive" or "negative" in the report sent to the doctor is not sufficient, the inclusion of the total score in the case of a positive result, the clone used, the usage / non-usage of antigenic exposure and also the quality control being necessary. The benign mammary lesions occur in the context of a hormonal imbalance, which, in the long run runs the risk of developing a mammary carcinoma.
Conclusion: The further study of the hormonal spectrum of those lesions, considered as pre-malignant, may lead to the identification of some groups of hyperplastic lesions, presenting a high risk for developing a mammary cancer.