Hormone receptor expression in breast carcinoma at our hospital: An experience

Background: Breast carcinoma is the most common cancer among women in the urban Indian population and second only to cervical cancer in the rural population based on cancer registry data. Prognosis and management of breast cancer are influenced by classic variables such as histologic type, grade, tumor size and lymph node status. More recently hormone receptor (HR) status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER-2/neu expression have opened a new gateway in the field of adjuvant hormonal and/or chemotherapeutic regimen. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the ER, PR, and HER-2/neu reactivity pattern in breast carcinomas at our hospital. Materials and Methods : A study of 100 patient samples of breast carcinoma was carried out from June 2011 to June 2014 in the Department of Pathology, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, ESIC Model Hospital, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru. Brief demographic and clinical data were obtained. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was done by peroxidase antiperoxidase technique for detection of ER, PR, and HER-2/neu receptor status. Details regarding histopathological diagnosis, pathological grading, staging, and HR status of breast carcinoma were collected. Obtained parameters were evaluated using descriptive statistical analysis and presented in terms of percentage. Results : The age of the patients ranged from 24 to 75 years. Majority of tumors were infiltrating ductal carcinomas-not otherwise specified and predominantly histological grade 2. By IHC 52% were ER+/PR+, 25% were HER-2/neu positive and 20% of triple negatives. Conclusion : Detection of hormone expression is of paramount importance since these are one among the classic variables needed for providing suitable adjuvant hormonal and/or chemotherapeutic options, targeted treatment, and predicting prognosis.