We too are being increasingly asked to do this, but still not as a "routine".
As I understand it, and I am not expert in this field, there is an increasing tendency to lose ER status (normal ducts are of course, invariably positive) with higher grades of DCIS. 
Does this surprise anyone?
I can't say I see the utility of this procedure, but someone may enlighten me.

Terry L Marshall B.A.(Law), M.B.Ch.B., F.R.C.Path
Consultant Histopathologist
Rotherham General Hospital, Yorkshire
terry.marshall@rothgen.nhs.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: Bell, Lynne [mailto:Lynne.Bell@hitchcock.org]
Sent: 05 February 2003 15:19
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors on DCIS


One of our pathologists just informed me that our oncologists would like us
to do ER and PR's on all cases with ductal carcinoma insitu.  Is anyone else
doing this?  As about 30% of the breast tissue we receive has DCIS, this is
going to significantly impact our workload, which leads me to my next
question.  Does anyone have some ideas for a small, reliable immunostainer?


Thanks so much for you help,

Lynne Bell, HT (ASCP)
Lead Histotechnician
Central Vermont Hospital
Barre, VT