Original Article International Journal of Basic and Applied Physiology

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in India and abroad. Tumor markers are becoming increasingly important in breast cancer research because of their impact on prognosis, treatment and survival, and because of their relation to breast cancer subtypes. According to the American cancer society, about two out of every three cases of breast cancer are hormone receptor positive. Most of these cases are ER+ or receptive to both estrogen and progesterone. The aim of the study is to study the relationship of ER and PR receptors with the age, parity and size of the lesion in patients of breast cancer. Method: Estrogen receptor(ER) and Progesterone receptor (PR) levels have been measured in 50 patients of primary breast cancer and compared with size of the lesion and other variables to determine their relationship. They were measured by immunohistochemistry. Result: This study showed a significant relation of age, parity and size of the lesion to the ER and PR receptors in patients of breast cancer. Conclusion: When both receptor measurements were used in combination, a group of receptor-negative (ER and PR negative), patients were seen to be having worse disease .Younger age group and decreased parity contributed to increased incidence.