Expression of Her-2/neu oncogene protein product and epidermal growth factor receptors in surgical specimens of human breast cancers

Article Abstract:

The biology of growth factors and oncogenes is an active area of breast cancer research. Oncogenes are variants of normal cell genes which under certain conditions have the ability to change normal cells into cancer cells. Expression of one oncogene, Her-2/neu, in the tumor has been linked to higher than expected rates of breast cancer recurrence and mortality. The level of epidermal growth factor found in the fluid in macrocysts (large breast cysts) has been correlated with other factors of increased risk for future breast cancer. The clinical features of epidermal growth factor have not been extensively studied. A study was undertaken on 139 breast cancer patients; all specimens were analyzed for Her-2/neu, and 74 of these were also analyzed for epidermal growth factor receptors. Invasive cancers showed no significant difference between Her-2/neu and epidermal growth factor receptor; both factors were inversely related to hormone (estrogen) receptor status. Epidermal growth factor receptor status seemed to identify a group of breast cancers with a worse prognosis than did Her-2/neu labeling. When epidermal growth factor receptor and Her-2/neu protein were both found in the same cancer, there was usually a poor prognosis. These findings suggest that epidermal growth factor receptor study provides additional information regarding prognosis to that available from identification of Her-2/neu level, meaning that the information supplied by these two analyses is not redundant. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Genetic aspects, Epidermal growth factor, Epidermal growth factors, Oncogenes

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Preoperative needle localization to detect early breast cancer

Article Abstract:

Two hundred female patients had a needle, guided by mammogram x-rays, inserted into the breast to find the exact location of breast lesion prior to breast biopsy. Mammographically controlled needle localization was recommended if one of the following was present: evidence of a mass inside the breast, which was present in 25 percent of cases, tiny deposits of calcium causing tissues to become hardened, present in 61 percent of cases, or distortion of the shape of the breast, which occurred in 14 percent of cases. Out of 192 x-rays that were examined, 186 contained an image of breast lesion and six missed it. Forty-eight cancers were detected. It was found under microscopic examination that 38 of the cancers had invaded surrounding tissues, Ten had remained self-contained. Cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, (which return disease-fighting white blood cells to the blood) in 2 of 38 patients. The use of preoperative needle localization for breast lesions had a 93 percent success rate. Conservative breast surgery is the treatment of choice. High-risk malignant tumors such as those of the milk ducts and the little lobes of the milk glands require close follow-up.

Usage, Surgery, Cancer, Biopsy, Needle, Needle biopsy

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Correlation of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors in breast cancer

Article Abstract:

Receptors are proteins on the surfaces of cells that are sensitive to the triggering action of hormones. In breast cancer induced in rats, levels of receptors for the female hormone progesterone correlated with levels of receptors for the female hormone estrogen and the male hormone androgen. However, levels of estrogen and androgen receptors did not correlate with each other. Knowledge of levels of the androgen receptor in breast tumors may enhance the value of using estrogen and progesterone receptor levels in predicting the patient's response to hormones. The data concerning levels of the progesterone receptor may be useful for selecting patients likely to respond well to treatment with hormones.

Research, Physiological aspects, Animal experimentation, Estrogen, Estrogens, Androgens, Progesterone

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