Assessment of Estrogen receptor Expression in Carcinoma Breast cases presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh

Breast carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of death, in women, worldwide. It accounts for 15 % of all cancer deaths. Various protocols are in use for the assessment of prognosis, and also to assist in planningfurther management of these cases. Of various parameters, expression of Estrogen receptors (ER) is significant. The literature includes several studies showing association between the presence of estrogen receptors apart from other indicators of good prognosis like small tumor size, low histological grade, low nuclear grade and low mitotic activity. It is also a powerful predictive factor for the likelihood of benefit from adjuvant hormonal therapy including aromatase inhibitors (Anastrozole, letrozole) and Tamoxifen, an oral selective estrogen receptor modulator. All cases of Carcinoma breast presenting to S.V.R.R.G.G. Hospital, are evaluated for Estrogen Receptor status using immunochemistry, indirectly assessing the prognosis of individuals presenting to the Hospital and in turn the prognosis of the disease in the region.