Human Epidermal Growth Factor-2 Receptor [HER2] Status in Patients Aged 70 years or more with Operable Early Breast Cancer — Multicentre Based Study with Review of 150 Cases

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in females but often has more favourable tumour biology in the older age group. More than 30% of those diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide are aged ≥ 65. Some report this percentage to be even higher, reaching up to more than 50% in developed countries that have a longer overall life expectancy. Within this group, hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER-2) negative are the most favourable tumour biological patterns. In contrast, the triple-negative breast cancer group has the worst prognosis. Invasive breast cancers in younger age groups have a more poorly differentiated histological grade, more hormone receptor-negative status, a remarkable extent of lympho-vascular invasion and a greater expression/amplification of HER-2 than older age groups. HER-2 receptor is amplified and over-expressed in about 20–30% of invasive breast cancers within all age groups. To analyse the status of HER-2 receptors early invasive breast cancer in relation to the histological subtype in the older age group. Methods: The study group includes 150 patients with early breast cancer . The patho-morphological data and immune-histochemistry results of invasive cancer have been analysed, this included histology subtype, grade, oestrogen/progesterone receptor status as well as HER-2 expression. Results: HER-2 expression was only seen in 17% of cases, it was seen mainly in Grade 3 cancers (9%), followed by Grade 2 (6%), with Grade 1 cancer accounting for only 1% of the study group. Conclusions: Patients with breast cancer aged ≥ 70 are seen to have less aggressive biology and expression of HER-2 receptors.