Title: Use of Immunomarkers D2-40 and CD31 in Detection of Lymphovascular Invasion in Breast Carcinoma
Abstract: Breast cancer is a major health problem in the world.It is a disease with significant morbidity and mortality.Metastasis and recurrence are the main causes of mortality in breast carcinoma.Lymphovascular invasion is associated with increased axillary node metastasis and recurrence.Identifying lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is difficult in haematoxylin and eosin stained slides especially if lumen is completely filled by tumour cells or when retraction artefacts is present.D2-40 is a sensitive and specific marker to detect tumour cells in lymphatic vessels.It selectively and specifically stains lymphatic endothelial cells.CD31 is a 130 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein in the immunoglobulin super family.CD31 stains blood and lymph vessels.Staining with these immunomarkers makes it easy to identify the invasion.If it is identified more aggressive therapy can be given to the patient which will reduce the recurrence rate in carcinoma breast patients.