ABSTRACT
To determine the association of steroid receptor expression and HER-2/Neu expression in different age groups in breast cancer patients at Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Descriptive study Department of Oncology, CMH Rawalpindi, from Jan 2009 to December 2010. A prospective study in which 257 patients, of both genders more than 18 years old with histopathological diagnosis of carcinoma breast, were stratified into three age groups [<35 years, 35-50 years and >50 years]. Estrogen and progesterone receptor and HER-2/neu receptor status was determined in all the patients. Positive status of either estrogen or progesterone receptor was considered as steroid receptor positive. Association of HER-2/neu with the steroid receptors was determined in all the age groups. Estrogen receptor was positive in 95 [38.2%] patients. Progesterone receptor was positive in 144 [57.8%] patients. Steroid receptor was positive in 160 [64.3%] patients. One third [32.9%] of the patients were positive for HER-2/neu. Positive cases of HER-2/neu were significantly higher in negative steroid receptor cases as compared to positive cases [50.6% vs. 23.1%, OR = 3.324, p<0.001]. In age groups "35 - 50 years" and "> 50 years", this inverse association of HER-2/neu status with steroid receptor was significant. HER2/neu receptor status should be determined in all patients but if it is not possible due to the local availability of facilities as well as affordablility of the patients, patients who are steroid receptor negative should be referred to laboratories capasle for accurate determination of HER-2/neu receptor status as these patients are more likely to be positive for HER-2/neu receptor status