Comparative analysis of Estrogen, Progesterone, c-erbB-2 receptor status of age matched male and female breast carcin

Objective: To assess the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) status and Her-2/ neu oncogene mutation in male breast carcinomas and to compare these prognostic markers with age matched female patients. Methodology: This is a comparative descriptive study carried out in the department of Pathology (Histopathology), Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, with necessary collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), from January 2007 to January 2009. Twenty male patients were divided in different age groups and age group matched 20 female breast carcinoma cases were selected. Request forms and haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained slides were assessed for age of the patients, type and grade of the tumor. Tumors were graded according to the Nottingham Modification of Bloom-Richardson classification and Immunohistochemical scoring for ER and PR was done by H Scoring method. The c-erbB-2 scoring was done according to DAKO Scoring system. Results: Forty (20 males and 20 females) patients of breast carcinoma were included in the study. Majority were having invasive ductal carcinoma. The predominant histological grade was grade-II. Statistically significant correlation, was found between the intensities of ER and PR in male patients as compared to female patients (p value =0.001) except in age group 26-35 where it was more in females (p value =0.001). There was no significant difference in the c-erbB-2 scoring of both groups (p value >0.05). Conclusion: Male breast cancers display distinct munophenotypic features than in females, implying a different pathogenesis in the evolution and progression of this disease. This recognition may provide better-focused treatment strategies and improved survival. (author)