Clinical study of molecular hormonal receptor level status among carcinoma of breast in Karaikal population

Background: Breast cancer patients with the same stage of disease can have markedly different treatment responses and overall outcome. The strongest predictors for metastases (for example, lymph node status and histological grade) fail to classify accurately breast tumors according to their clinical behavior. The discordance in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status between primary and recurrent breast cancer are being intensively investigated and a large amount of data have been produced. Aim: To study the epidemiological and clinical profile of carcinoma breast with analysis of receptor status. Materials and methods: A descriptive study of 40 cases of carcinoma breast with receptor analysis, in Vinayaka Missions Medical College, Karaikal, from June 2015- June 2016 was done. Detailed history, clinical examination, and investigations were done, after staging, patients were treated with a suitable type of mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy as indicated. Cases were followed up for one year, data thus obtained was analyzed and results compared. Results: All our cases were unilateral- 26 (65%) right breast and 14(35%) left breast. Majority of the cases had lump measuring >5cm –30 (75%). 23 (57.5%) of cases had a tumor in the upper outer quadrant, followed by other locations. Most of the cases were stage III- 27 (67.5%), 3 (7.5%) had metastasis at the time of presentation. The predominant histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma 31 (77.5%). There was a predominance of ER+/PR+24 ( 60%), followed by ER-/PR-, ER+/PR- then ER-/PR+. Conclusion: Majority of the cases belonged to stage III, with a predominance of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Reporting to the hospital in earlier stages of the disease is lacking in the study population and highlights the need for public education and screening methods. It also emphasizes to analyze hormone receptor status in patients, as receptor positive status significantly reduces recurrence if hormone therapy is initiated.