Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 5/22/2006

Question
I am a 40 year old woman who has been diagnosed with Malignant Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - On the addendum report - th  Immunoperoxidase stains p63 and muscle actin showed negative - What does this mean?
Second question - the Estrogen Receptor is positive in approx. 90% of neoplastic cells and the progesterone receptor is also positive in approx. 95% of neoplastic cells. I believe that is good news?
Third Question - What is the Nottingham Grade mean - Mine says: 3 microfoci of invasive ductal carcinoma, nottingham grade I (socre 4 of 9)
I am trying to understand what each of these things means to my particular diagnosis - so I am more educated when I go to a surgeon and oncologist.
Thanks for however you can enlighten me!
Marcela

Answer
When a pathologist checks a tumour specimen microscopically different staining methods are used in order to make different features of the tumour visible in the microscope. In these cases antibodies stained with fluorescent chemicals that glow in UV light are used to bring out certain features in the specimen. This is used in order to reach the diagnosis you already have got, so these are only technical details in the way of reaching your diagnosis. Yes that the hormone receptor tests are positive will make treatment easier. The Grade score is a way of classifying your tumour. In your case it is rather good, not a very malignant cancer. Good luck!