Correlation of estrogen and progesterone receptors with Histopathologic features in human breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Some of the pathological features of mammary carcinoma, considered to be of possible prognostic significance, were compared with hormone receptor status of the primary tumor. No significant correlation was found in relation to tumor size, tumor type, or degree of lymphocytic infiltration. On the other h and, grade II tumors were more frequently receptor positive, with higher receptor concentration, than the poorly differentiated grade III tumors [P <0.05]. Node-negative patients exhibited more frequently receptor positive tumors and higher nuclear estrogen receptor concentration than those with axillary lymph node metastases [P <0.05]. Moreover, with increasing amounts of elastosis, with absent or minimal tumor necrosis, there was a significant increase in receptor positive tumors [P <0.05]. Hormone receptor analysis is therefore most valuable to the clinician, as a prognostic factor, when considered with other factors including pathology