Breast Evaluation Panel

Breast Evaluation panel test uses antibodies to check for certain antigens (markers) through IHC (Immunohistochemistry) method. This panel is done on tissue samples taken through biopsy.

Some breast cancers are sensitive to your body's naturally occurring female hormones — estrogen and progesterone. The breast cancer cells have receptors on the outside of their walls that can catch specific hormones that circulate through your body.

Following are the components in this panel-

• ER-IHC: ER stands for Estrogen Receptor. ER positive cells have receptors that allow them to use the hormone estrogen to grow. Treatment with anti-estrogen hormone (endocrine) therapy can block the growth of the cancer cells.
• PR-IHC: PR stands for progesterone receptor. PR positive cells are sensitive to progesterone, and the cells have receptors that allow them to use this hormone to grow. Treatment with endocrine therapy blocks the growth of the cancer cells.
• HER-2/NEU-IHC: HER2 stands for human epidermal growth factor receptor. Cancer cells that have too many copies of the HER2 gene (HER2-positive cancers) produce too much of HER2. Targeted therapy drugs are available to shut down the HER2 protein, thus slowing the growth and killing these cancer cells.
  • If the IHC result is 0/1+, the cancer is considered HER2-negative. These cancers do not respond to treatment with drugs that target HER2.
  • If the IHC result is 2+, the HER2 status of the tumor is not clear and is called "equivocal." This means that the HER2 status needs to be tested with FISH to clarify the result.
  • If the IHC result is 3+, the cancer is HER2-positive. These cancers are usually treated with drugs that target HER2.

The type of tissue where breast cancer arises determines how the cancer behaves and what treatments are most effective. Knowing if the breast cancer is sensitive to hormones gives clinician a better idea of how best to treat the cancer or prevent cancer from recurring. This panel can help in:

• Assess the type of targeted therapy that can be prescribed to patient by determining the status of ER,PR, HER2neu receptors.
• Help in assessing the prognosis of treatment.

Your doctor will ask you to do this test, if you have

• Diagnosed with breast cancer, to find out if cancer HER positive, HER negative
• To monitor ongoing treatment, if you have already been diagnosed with HER2 positive cancer.
• To check for relapse of cancer, i.e. if cancer has come back after treatment.

Other Names – Breast cancer test, Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her2neu, ER PR test, Her2neu test

Breast cancer

A cancer that starts in breast tissue is known as “Breast Cancer”. 

It happens when breast tissue grows out of control and usually forms a tumour.

Certain factor put you at higher risk of developing breast cancer

• Older age
• History of breast cancer or benign (non-cancer) breast disease
• Inherited risk of breast cancer, including having BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene changes
• Dense breast tissue
• Menstruating at an early age
• Starting menopause at a later age
• Taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
• Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
• Obesity
• Drinking alcohol

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer

• A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast
• A nipple turned inward into the breast, Scaly, red, or swollen skin in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk. The discharge might happen suddenly, be bloody, or happen in only one breast.
• Pain in any area of the breast