Hormone Receptor Status, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Expression, and Demographic Patterns in Breast Cancer: A Descriptive Study

Pelemo OE; Anjorin AO; Anjorin AO; Bamikefa TA; Olaofe OO

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i1.904

Authors

Pelemo OE Department of pathology, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria
Anjorin AO Department of Anatomic Pathology & Forensic Medicine, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
Anjorin AO Department of Family Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Bamikefa TA Department of Medicine, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
Olaofe OO oolaofe@oauife.edu.ng

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i1.904

Keywords:

Breast cancer, Hormone receptor, Triple negative, Invasive ductal carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a significant public health concern globally, with varying incidence and mortality rates across different regions. Hormone receptor status, particularly that of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), play a crucial role in the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of hormone receptor status in breast cancer samples from Akure, Nigeria.

Methodology: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the hormone receptor status of breast cancer samples from Akure, Nigeria. Data were obtained from medical records of histologically confirmed breast cancer specimens with complete immunohistochemistry reports at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Akure, between January 2021 and December 2023. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and inferential tests to explore associations between demographic and clinical variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results: A total of 123 samples were analysed. The majority of patients (54.5%) were between 41 and 60 years of age. Receptor status analysis revealed that 51% of the patients were triple-negative, 26.8% were HER2-positive, 15.4% were estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, and 22% were progesterone receptor (PR)-positive. Additionally, 7.3% of the patients were ER- and PR-positive, 2.4% were PR- and HER2-positive, and ER-, PR-, and HER2-positive, respectively. The highest percentage of ER-positive cases (47.4%) and PR-positive cases (40.7%) appeared in the 41–50 years age group. HER2 overexpression in the samples was highest in the 41–50-year-old and 51–60-year-old age groups, with 27.3% each. Triple-negative breast cancer was most common, with 51% overall and 42.9% in patients aged 41--50 years.

Conclusion: Triple-negative breast cancer emerged as the most prevalent subtype, followed by HER2-positive cases, with the highest receptor-positive rates observed among premenopausal women. These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this population.