Association of the hormonal receptor status of endometrial carcinomas with the markers of tumor aggression: A comparison with similar studies in developed nations

Abstract

Background: Endometrial carcinomas (EC) are the most common gynecological malignancy in developed nations, but in developing nations, it follows cervical cancer. Estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR) status is important prognostic indicators in EC. With this in background, we intended to compare the hormonal receptor status of our cases with markers of tumor aggression and compare our results with that of developed nations. Aims: The present retrospective study aims to check the association of ER and PR status of cases of EC with markers of tumor aggression-tumor grade, MIB-1 score (proliferative index), depth of myometrial invasion, and incidence of nodal metastasis and to also compare status of our cases in developing nation with the studies of similar nature in the developed countries. Materials and Methods: The cases diagnosed in this tertiary care center over the past 2 years were evaluated. ER and PR status of cases in this retrospective observational study was performed using immunohistochemistry. The hormonal status of the cases was checked for its association with markers of tumor aggression. Results: A total of 34 cases were evaluated during the period of the study. The age of the cases ranged from 35 to 85 years. Mean age being 60.36 years. Twenty-four out of 34 (70.6%) cases were ER and PR positive. Significant association of positive hormonal status was found with lower histological grade (P = 0.01) and low MIB-1 score (P = 0.0009) while no association of hormonal status was found with depth of myometrial invasion and incidence of nodal metastasis. Conclusion: We conclude that positive ER and PR status is associated with lower histological grade and low MIB-1 score; however, our study in contrast to previous studies done in developed nations did not find any association with depth of myometrial invasion and incidence of nodal metastasis likely due to late access to treatment in our country when the disease had already advanced.