Prognostic and predictive factors of breast carcinoma: Beyond hormonal receptors and HER2

Over the last years, new molecular prognostic and predictive markers in malignant tumours have been daily proposed by basic researchers; their clinical application have consistently contributed to increase the Pathology Services workload; immunohistochemistry often surrogates other more sophisticated biotechnologies with acceptable results although in several cases molecular techniques look preferable. Breast cancer is a model widely studied and effort is made to improve therapeutic results. Conventional macro-microscopic parameters, evaluation by immunohistochemistry of Ki 67, ER, PR and HER2 status represent consolidated and standardised prognostic factors; ER, PR and HER2 status are also validated predictive markers; for HER2 status, in borderline cases, hybridisation in situ technologies, such as FISH, improve the definition of result.