Summyia Farooq et. al. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL PATTERN OF OVARIAN NEOPLASMS AND ESTROGEN & PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN PRIMARY EPITHELIAL TUMOURS AND THEIR HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Background: Ovarian neoplasm is one of the most complex tumours of women in terms of histogenesis, clinical behaviour and malignant potentiality and is the third most common cancer of female genital tract. Estrogen and progesterone hormones and their receptors are thought to be involved in process of tumour genesis in ovarian cancers. The objective of this study was to evaluate histopathology of ovarian neoplasms and evaluate the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in primary epithelial tumours. Material and Methods: The study included a total of 144 consecutive cases of ovarian tumours. Sections of 4μm from 50 epithelial tumours were taken from paraffin embedded tissue blocks for immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ER and PR. Statistical analysis was done using chi square test. Results: Among 144 cases 75% were benign 3.48% were borderline and 21.52% were malignant. Surface epithelial tumours were most common 69.44% followed by germ cell tumours 22.22%. ER and PR had higher expression in serous tumours 37.14% & 51.42% as compared to mucinous tumours 6.67% & 13.3%. ER and PR had lower expression in benign tumours 20% & 30% as compared to borderline 50% & 50% and malignant 61.53% & 84.6%. ER and PR had higher expression in older age women 78.57% & 75%. ER and PR expression in grade 3 tumours was 75% & 87% and in advanced stage was 100% each. Conclusion: Surface epithelial tumours were most common type of tumours both benign as well as malignant. Estrogen and Progesterone showed higher expression in serous tumours, older age group and higher grade of tumours. So estimation of Estrogen and Progesterone receptor status may help to select the women with ovarian malignancy for hormonal therapy, which is more likely to improve the response rate as well as prognosis.