Comparison of Receptor Status in Breast Carcinoma Between Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer affecting women worldwide. The immunohistochemical status of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) plays a crucial role in determining breast cancer treatment options and prognosis. These receptor statuses are known to be influenced by menopausal transition. Objective: This cross-sectional comparative study aimed to assess the frequency of ER, PR, and HER2/Neu positivity or negativity and their association with menopausal status among female breast carcinoma patients. Methodology: The study was conducted over one year, from September 2021 to August 2022, at the Department of Surgery, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi. A total of 50 female patients with breast carcinoma were included in the study, divided into two groups: Group A (Premenopausal women) and Group B (Postmenopausal women). Specimens were collected after modified radical mastectomy and sent to renowned laboratories for histopathological and immunohistochemical receptor assays. Data were collected through a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS (version 24.0). Results: The study found no significant relationship between receptor status and menopausal status or increasing age. However, a significant histopathological association was observed with receptor status, with ER and PR positivity associated with grade II tumors (p-value <0.011). The most common histopathological type was ductal cell carcinoma, and its incidence increased with parity (p-value <0.009). Conclusions: This study revealed no significant difference in hormone receptor and HER2 Neu expression between premenopausal and postmenopausal breast carcinoma patients. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended for a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship.