[Histonet] Underfixation of breast tissue may lead to false results?

[Goodwin, Diana]

Dear Histonetters:

I recently read the following in an article on Medscape:

"Underfixation of breast tissue may lead to false negative ER results and false-positive HER2 results.  In these situations, the tissue is actually fixed in 100% ethanol, which is used to dehydrate the specimens after fixation."

Can anyone explain?

Diana Goodwin
Supervisor, Histology Laboratory
xt. 6996