An abnormal growth of breast cells form a tumor known as “Breast Cancer”. Breast cancer usually begins in the milk ducts or lobules cells which are responsible for the production of the milk. Although, breast cancer is mostly found in women, but men can also get it. It is more common among the women over the age of 40 years. People with a family history of breast cancer are at higher risk. Being overweight, using hormone replacement therapy, having early onset of menstruation cycle or late onset of menopause, late conceiving babies, high fat diet, etc are the other risk factors of breast cancer. With routine check ups one may diagnose breast cancer in the early stages.
Commonly the first sign of breast cancer is a lump in the breast . Other symptoms may include,
Breast cancer diagnosis can be done via below mention diagnostic tests,
Following are the tests carried out at Oncquest for breast cancer diagnosis,
1. Test: CA 15.3 (BREAST CANCER MARKER), Serum
The technique used: ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno sorbent Assay
Sample required: 2 ml. (1 ml. Minimum) Serum.
Special instruction: Give brief clinical history on test requisition form
Run days at section: Daily if received before 2:00 p.m
Reported on: 3rd Working Day by 7:00 p.m
2. Test: MALIGNANCY (CANCER) ASSESSMENT (FEMALE) Includes CA15.3 (Breast Cancer Marker)
The technique used: ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno sorbent Assay
Sample required: 4 ml. (3 ml. Minimum) Serum.
Run days at section: Daily if received before 2:00 p.m
Reported on: 2nd Working Day by 7:00 p.m
3. Test: HERstatus Her2/neu Gene Amplification for Breast Cancer
The technique used: FISH
Sample required: Formalin fixed tissue/Representative Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue block. Specify brief clinical details on TRF.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 5 – 7 Working Day
4. Test: Breast Cancer Prognosis Panel DNA Ploidy and S – phase estimation EGFR mRNA overexpression HER2/neu gene amplification
The technique used: Flowcytometry & Real Time RT- PCR (Quantitative)
Sample required: Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block. Must be accompanied by an H & E slide of the same block.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 7th Working Day if received before 1500 Hrs
5. Test: neuquest HER2/neu Gene Amplificatio
The technique used: Real Time RT- PCR (Quantitative)
Sample required: Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block. Must be accompanied by an H & E slide of the same block
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 7th Working Day if received before 1500 Hrs
6. Test: CA 15.3 (Metastatic Breast Cancer Marker)
The technique used: Immunohistochemistry
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature by courier
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 4th Working day of receipt of paraffin blocks, if received in section before 1300 Hrs.
7. Test: Breast Prognosis Basic panel ER PR
The technique used: IHC
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 4th Working day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 hrs; Add another day for specimen received after cut off time. 5th Working day for formalin fixed specimens.
8. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 1A ER PR DNA Ploidy / S – Phase
The technique used: IHC & Flowcytometry
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 4th Working day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 hrs; Add another day for specimen received after cut off time. 5th Working day for formalin fixed specimens.
9. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 1B ER PR HER2/neu
The technique used: IHC
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: 4th Working day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 hrs; Add another day for specimen received after cut off time. 5th Working day for formalin fixed specimens.
10. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 2A ER PR HER2/neu Gene Amplification DNA Ploidy / S – Phase
The technique used: IHC & Real Time RT-PCR (Quant) & Flowcytometry
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Mon./Wed./Friday
Reported on: 7th day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 hrs; Add a day for tissue specimen.
11. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 2B ER PR HER2/neu DNA Ploidy / S – Phase
The technique used: IHC & Flowcytometry
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Mon./Wed./Friday
Reported on: 6th day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 hrs; Add a day
for tissue specimen
12. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 3A ER P53 PR Cathepsin D
The technique used: IHC
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Mon./Wed./Friday
Reported on: IHC: 4th day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 Hrs; Real Time RT – PCR (Quant.): Add a day for Tissue specimen.
13. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 4A ER PR EGFR mRNA overexpression HER2/neu Gene Amplification
The technique used: IHC & Real Time RT-PCR(Quant)
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: IHC: 4th day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 Hrs; Real Time RT – PCR (Quant.): Add a day for Tissue specimen.
14. Test: Breast Prognosis Profile # 5A ER & PR CA-15.3 (Metastatic Marker)
The technique used: IHC
Sample required: Representative Tissue placed in Formalin/Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block sent at room temperature.
Run days at section: Everyday
Reported on: IHC: 4th day of Receipt of Paraffin Block if received before 1300 Hrs; Real Time RT – PCR (Quant.): Add a day for Tissue specimen.