Comparison of ER, PR & HER2/neu(C-erb B2) reactivity pattern with various histomorphological patterns in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Globally carcinoma breast is the leading cause of cancer death in women .Prognosis of such patients is related to a variety of Histomorphological features which includes, Histological grade, type, tumor size and lymph node metastases. Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) and more recently, HER-2/neu have with increasing importance influenced the management of the malignancy. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at tertiary care hospital which included 70 cases of breast cancer that we have reported at our department during a period from June 2012 to June 2014.Specimens were fixed overnight in 10% Neutral buffered formalin and processed as routine for H&E staining. Representative sections with tumour with adjacent normal breast tissue (internal control) were taken on Poly-L-Lysine coated slides and proceed for antigen retrieval, HRP Polymerization steps and than processed for ER, PR and HER-2/neu immuno-histochemical staining with respective antibody. Observation and Results: Maximum No. Of cases were in age group 5th and 6th decade with Invasive ductal carcinoma was predominately observed followed by invasive lobular carcinoma. Among 70 cases, 25 cases (35.71%) showing ER/PR+ HER 2- pattern which is predominant pattern in this study. While 23 cases (32.85%) showing Tripple negative pattern. Conclusion: most important cost effective, prognostic markers are estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status and HER2/neu status. Correlation of these marker status with clinical parameters helps in predicting the future treatment modalities and disease free survival for the patient in developing countries. Keywords: ER-Estrogen receptor, PR-Progesteron recptor, Immunohistochemistry.