DETERMINING THE RELATION OF TUMOR CHARACTERISTICS WITH IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER.

Background: Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of women each year. The molecular characterization of breast cancer has become crucial for tailoring personalized treatment strategies and predicting patient outcomes. Among the key biomarkers that guide treatment decisions, the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2/neu) play pivotal roles in determining the disease behavior and response to therapy. Understanding HER-2 expressions and hormone receptors is essential for developing treatment strategies and making decisions regarding breast cancer. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of different subtypes based on the status of ER, PR, and Her2/neu receptors in this specific patient population and to Analyze the correlation between these molecular subtypes and clinicopathological characteristics, such as age, tumor size, grade, and lymph node status. Materials and Methods: This is a Retrospective observational study conducted on 126 cases of breast carcinoma patients in Government General hospital, Kurnool. Slides were prepared from blocks containing cancer tissue, and immunohistochemical staining was done for ER PR & Her2neu expressions. Interpretation of expressions was done using Allred scoring system for ER, PR and the College of American pathologists guidelines for Her2neu expressions. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the statistical significance by applying chi-square test. Results: The majority of the tumors were HER2/neu negative, positive for ER and PR. When it came to ER and PR positive tumors, most of them were Grade I. The current investigation established a correlation between age, tumor grade and ER and PR, but not with tumor size, lymph node status. There was a correlation between ER and PR expression, but not with HER2/neu. Conclusion: Adjuvant hormonal therapy may result in a favorable outcome for cases that test positive for ER and PR. In order to provide prognostic information and therapeutic benefits, hormone receptor assessment is strongly advised for clinical management of breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]