Significance of immunohistochemical markers in women with breast cancer.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the importance of immunohistochemical (IHC) markers and other prognostic variables in the definition of breast cancer. Two hundred female patients who underwent breast cancer surgery were classified into two groups according to age: young women (≤45 years; n = 104) and older women (≥65 years; n = 96). Molecular subtypes and local stages were determined. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival curves. The relationships among categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The difference between the tumor diameter and distribution of Ki-67 levels was significant (P = 0.001, P < 0.05). T stage, local stage, histological grade, estrogen receptor status, lymphovascular invasion status, axillary nodal state, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, and distribution of molecular subtypes were correlated (P < 0.05). The mean disease-free survival rates (DFS) at 1, 2, and 5 years were found 92.9%, 86.5%, and 70.1%, respectively, in the young female group. The DFS rates of older patients were 96.7%, 95.4%, and 84.6%, respectively. This study showed that young age was associated with poor prognostic features at the IHC marker level.