Evaluation of automated silver‐enhanced <i>in situ</i> hybridization (SISH) for detection of <i>HER2</i> gene amplification in breast carcinoma excision and core biopsy specimens

Abstract

The results validate the use of the SISH technique for assessing HER2 status of excised breast carcinoma tissue sections. The results are comparable to those obtained with FISH, but SISH has the advantage of having a permanent end result that can be visualized by an ordinary light microscope. There is a reasonable 89% concordance between SISH results obtained in core and excision biopsy specimens. However, it may be prudent to postpone doing SISH, if possible, until sections of the resected specimen are available, as these seem to be more reliable.