Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, with hormone receptor status serving as a crucial prognostic and predictive marker. This study aimed to assess hormone receptor status in breast carcinoma and its relation to age and other prognostic factors in an Indian population.
Methods: This prospective observational study included 30 female breast cancer patients who underwent surgery at a tertiary care center. Patient characteristics including age, tumor size, lymph node status, stage, and hormone receptor status (ER, PR, and HER2) were recorded and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: The mean age of patients was 52.73 years, with invasive ductal carcinoma predominating (93.33%). Most patients presented with tumors 2-5 cm in size (70%), lymph node involvement (73.33%), and stage III disease (43.33%). ER and PR positivity were observed in 46.67% and 50% of cases, respectively, while HER2 overexpression was seen in 46.67%. Significant correlations were found between hormone receptor status and age, with highest ER/PR positivity in the 41-60 year age group and highest HER2 positivity in patients >60 years. ER/PR positivity was significantly associated with larger tumor size, lymph node involvement, and advanced stage, while HER2 status showed significant correlation with lymph node involvement.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that hormone receptor patterns in our population differ from Western data, with ER/PR positivity strongly correlating with adverse prognostic factors. The higher prevalence of HER2 overexpression and unique age-related receptor patterns highlight the need for region-specific approaches to breast cancer screening and treatment. Comprehensive receptor assessment is crucial for optimal therapeutic decision-making in breast cancer management.