ABSTRACT
Back ground: Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) over expression in breast cancer is associated with poor outcome and decrease disease free survival (DFS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the over expression of HER2/neu among premenopausal and postmenopausal females presented with malignant palpable breast lumps to Radio Isotope Center Khartoum (RICK). Methods: The study was a case-control conducted among patients attending Radiation Isotopes Centre Khartoum (RICK). A total of 328 women were randomly selected. Data were collected by a pre coded; pre tested questionnaire. Tissue biopsies of breast lumps had been analyzed using immunohistochemical techniques for HERR-2/neu over expression and its relation to other prognostic factors was evaluated. Results: HER-2/neu + vein first pregnancy at 23 years; were 32 (41) in the cases; 6 (35) in the controls of premenopausal women; and 21(44) in the cases; 5 (38) in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu + veexpression in relation to age at menarche 12 years was 39 (51) in the cases; 7(39) in the controls of premenopausal women; and 36 (56) in the cases; 7 (45) in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ vein relation to Body Mass Index 29 kg/m2 showed 7 (37) in the cases; 2 (33) in the controls of premenopausal women (x2=0.024); and 8(38) in the cases; 2(40) in the controls of postmenopausal women (x2= 0.006). HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to history of abortion or miscarriage (ever) was found to be 21 (39) in the cases; 4 (33) in the controls of premenopausal women; and 18 (44) in the cases; 3 (33) in the controls among postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to the history of breast cancer in a first degree relatives was 3 (25) in the cases; 1(50) in the controls of premenopausal women; and 4 (22) in the cases; 2 (28) in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to the use of oral contraceptives was 3 (37) in the cases; 1(50) in the controls among premenopausal women; and 3 (27) in the cases; 1 (50) in the controls of postmenopausal women. Conclusion: The study confirmed an etiological association between HER2/neu+ve and HER2/neu - ve and age at first pregnancy . 23 years; age of menarche at _ 12 years; abortion or miscarriage in premenopausal and post menopausal Sudanese women; while an etiological association was confirmed between HER2/neu+ve and HER2/neu -ve; and BMI in pre menopausal women; and the family history of cancer in post menopausal women