TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2002 , Vol 17 , Num 4
PROGNOSTIC IMPORTANCE OF C-ERBB-2 (HER-2/NEU) EXPRESSION IN EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER AND ITS RELATION WITH OTHER PROGNOSTIC FACTORS
ORHAN TÜRKEN, YAHYAHAN GÜNEY, E GÖKHAN KANDEMİR, MUSTAFA YAYLACI, AHMET ÖZTÜRK, BÜLENT ORHAN, NECDET ÜSKENT
GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi, Hematoloji ve Onkoloji Kliniği, İstanbul To predict relapse rate in early stage breast cancer we need prognostic factors independent from anatomic stage. c-erbB-2, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor's family, has been investigated for this purpose. c-erbB-2 is thought to be related with poor prognosis. We investigated prognostic importance of c-erbB-2 and its relation with standart prognostic factors in early breast cancer patients. Tissue c-erbB-2 positivity of the patients were studied with immunohistochemical method, c-erbB-2 positivity was found in 17 (27%) patients. When c-erbB-2 expression was compared with other prognostic factors, there was a statistically significant weak relation with negative ER status, statistically insignificant weak relation with tumor size and nuclear grade, intermediate relation with PCNA. No relationship between c-erbB-2 and age, menopausal status, stage and axillary lymph node metastasis was found. c-erbB-2 did not have any effect on overall survival (p>0.05) and disease free survival (p>0.05). Keywords : c-erbb-2, breast cancer, prognosis