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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Estrogen Receptor
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Estrogen Receptor
by renea500, Jun 25, 2003 12:00AM
I'm in the final stages of chemo, lumpectomy and radiation. (Done in that order) My doctor has recommended I start tamoxifen when I am finished with radiation. I had right breast Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Approx 4.5cm. 2.5cm after chemo (taxol / FAC). I also have LCIS in the left breast. (I'm 41, never had kids and have aunts on both side with breast cancer) I have concerns about tamoxifen and want to make an informed decision. I've done extensive research, but am having trouble finding one piece of info. My pathology report states estrogen receptor positive 20% and the same for progesterone. I have a very good understanding as to what estrogen receptors do and how tamoxifin (tamoxifen) blocks them. My question is..WHAT DOES THE 20% REFER TO and should it play a role in my decision to take tamoxifen?
Thanks. I appreciate you're time. - Stacey
Thanks. I appreciate you're time. - Stacey
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Jun 26, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Stacey, Pathologists use several techniques to test hormone receptors on tissue, and determine if the breast cancer cells respond, or attach, to estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors on the cell. Breast cancer is termed ER (or PR)-positive if its cells have more than a pre-specified baseline “cutoff” level of hormone receptors - the more a breast cancer responds, the higher its numerical test score. The reverse is also true: breast cancers with test scores at or around the cutoff level are called “weakly” ER (or PR)-positive, and those scoring below the cutoff are called ER (or PR)-negative - meaning that hormones do not stimulate the cancer’s growth.
Over the years the methods of testing for estrogen receptors has changed and most hospitals will have arbitrarily chosen 10% or even 20% (of tumor cells expressing ER or PR) as their cutoff for defining positivity.
The same type and dose of hormonal therapy is generally used for any breast cancer that is classified as ER-positive, even if it has a “weak” degree of positivity (test results close to the cutoff level).
Over the years the methods of testing for estrogen receptors has changed and most hospitals will have arbitrarily chosen 10% or even 20% (of tumor cells expressing ER or PR) as their cutoff for defining positivity.
The same type and dose of hormonal therapy is generally used for any breast cancer that is classified as ER-positive, even if it has a “weak” degree of positivity (test results close to the cutoff level).
Member Comments (2)
by renea500, Jun 26, 2003 12:00AM
thank you so much. that's exactly what i was looking for.
