A b s t r a c t Objectives: To test whether academic centers (ACs) are more successful than nonacademic centers (NACs) in immunohistochemistry (IHC) external quality assessment challenges in the Canadian Immunohistochemistry Quality Control (CIQC) program. Methods: Results of 9 CIQC challenges for breast cancer marker (BM) and various non-breast cancer marker (NBM) tests were examined. Success rates were compared between AC/NAC laboratories and those located in small or large cities.

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... was also correlated with annual IHC case volumes. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in performance in any of the comparisons. However, overall performance on BM was significantly better (P < .0001, t test) than on NBM tests regardless of AC/NAC nature or city size. The mean failure rate on NBM was approximately twice that of BM tests. Conclusion: Our results suggest that recent emphasis on breast hormone IHC quality assurance has led to improved test quality. Chen_2012110589.indd 55 6/5/13 11:41 AM 56