ABSTRACT
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]. 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. 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. 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