Expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2/neu in surface epithelial ovarian tumors and its clinicohistopathological correlation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancers represent the 4th most frequent type of cancers among females and are the most common cause of death from gynecological cancers in the world. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim is to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2/neu) immunohistochemical markers in surface epithelial ovarian tumors and its clinicopathological correlation with CA-125 level, histological type, grading of tumors, and prognosis of ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 48 cases of surface epithelial ovarian tumors including serous, mucinous, and adenocarcinoma Not Otherwise Specified (NOS). After grossing and processing, H and E sections were examined and representative 3–4 μm sections taken from blocks for immunohistochemistry which was performed with specific antibodies against ER, PR, and HER2/neu as per standard protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. DISCUSSION AND RESULTS: ER expression was higher in malignant, borderline, serous tumors as compared to benign and mucinous tumors. PR expression was higher in borderline, serous tumors as compared to malignant and mucinous tumors. HER2/neu positive cases were higher in malignant, serous as compared to borderline and mucinous tumors. CONCLUSIONS: ER expression was found to be positive in most of serous tumors, have variable role in prognosis. PR expression showed protective role in survival of patients. Her2/neu was found to be expressed in higher grade and associated with poor prognosis. Together expression of ER and Her2/neu associated with decreased survival rates.