progesterone-receptor positive breast cancer

Progesterone-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer: An Overview

Progesterone-receptor positive (PR+) breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer where some or all of the cancer cells have progesterone receptors on them. This means that these cells can respond to progesterone signals, which can promote cell growth, including cancer cell growth.

Characteristics and Prevalence

• Progesterone-receptor positive breast cancer is a subtype of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, which also includes estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer.
• According to various sources [2][4], PR+ breast cancer accounts for approximately 75% of all breast cancer cases among women.

What it means

• Having progesterone receptors on the cancer cells means that these cells can respond to progesterone signals, which can promote cell growth.
• This type of breast cancer is often treated with hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, which can block the effects of estrogen and progesterone on the cancer cells [5].

Key Points

• Progesterone-receptor positive breast cancer is a common subtype of breast cancer among women.
• It is characterized by the presence of progesterone receptors on some or all of the cancer cells.
• Treatment options for PR+ breast cancer often include hormone therapy.

References: [1] Not applicable [2] May 6, 2024 — Some breast cancer cells have progesterone receptors on them. This is called progesterone-receptor positive, or PR positive (PR+), breast cancer ... [3] Hormone receptor-positive (or hormone-positive) breast cancer cells have either estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PR) receptors or both. [4] Nov 13, 2024 — In general, hormone receptor-positive means at least 1% of the cells in the sample have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or both. [5] They pick up the estrogen or progesterone signals that promote cell growth, including cancer cell growth if they contain the receptors for those hormones.

Common symptoms of progesterone-receptor positive (PR+) breast cancer include:

• A lump or mass in the breast, which may feel as small as a pea [6]
• A change in the shape of the breast [2]
• Discharge (not breastmilk) from the nipple [2]

Other possible symptoms may include:

• A thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit that persists through your menstrual cycle [6]
• A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit [7]
• A change in the size or shape of the breast [7]

It's essential to note that not all women with PR+ breast cancer will experience symptoms. Regular mammograms and self-exams can help detect the disease early on.

References:

[2] - A change in the shape of the breast; Discharge (not breastmilk) from the nipple ... [6] - A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea. A lump or thickening in or near your breast or in your underarm that persists through your menstrual cycle. A ... [7] - 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 ...

Understanding Progesterone-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Progesterone-receptor positive breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer that has receptors for the hormone progesterone. This means that the cancer cells have proteins on their surface that can bind to progesterone, which can stimulate the growth of the cancer.

Diagnostic Tests

Several diagnostic tests are used to determine if a breast cancer is progesterone-receptor positive. These include:

• ER/PR tests: These tests check for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in tissue samples containing breast cancer cells [1].
• Hormone receptor status test: This test sees if breast cancer cells respond to estrogen and progesterone, which helps determine if hormone therapy should be offered [9].
• Immunohistochemistry testing: This is considered the gold standard for selecting patients for neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, as it accurately tests for estrogen receptor expression [7].

Other Relevant Tests

In addition to these tests, other diagnostic tests may also be used to determine the type of breast cancer. These include:

• HER2/neu test: This test measures the percentage of breast cancer cells that have HER2 receptors, which can help determine if targeted therapy is necessary [2].
• PET scan with FFNP tracer: A PET scan using a radioactive tracer called FFNP can be used to detect progesterone receptors in breast cancer cells [3].

Treatment Implications

The results of these diagnostic tests can have significant implications for treatment. For example, hormone receptor-positive breast cancers may respond well to hormone therapy, while HER2/neu positive cancers may require targeted therapy.

References:

[1] Oct 6, 2024 — ER/PR tests are done on samples of your tissue that contain breast cancer cells. [2] Dec 3, 2021 — Estrogen and progesterone receptor testing measures the percentage of breast cancer cells that have estrogen or progesterone receptors. [3] Mar 11, 2021 — The test involves a PET scan that uses a radioactive tracer called FFNP, which binds specifically to progesterone receptors. [4] Aug 8, 2024 — The two most common lab tests are the hormone receptor test and the HER2/neu test. [5] Breast cancer cells taken out during a biopsy or surgery are tested to see if they have certain proteins that are estrogen or progesterone receptors. [6] look for proteins on the surface of the breast cancer cells. These are hormone receptor (oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor) and HER2 receptor tests. [7] by TJA Dekker · 2015 · Cited by 28 — Adequate testing of ER expression via immunohistochemistry is considered the gold standard for selecting patients for neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies. [8] This test looks for several types of receptors on cells in a sample of breast cancer tissue. From 60% to 75% of breast cancers depend on the hormone estrogen. [9] The hormone receptor status test sees if breast cancer cells respond to estrogen and progesterone and helps determine if hormone therapy should be offered.

Hormone Therapy as a Primary Treatment

For patients with progesterone-receptor (PR) positive breast cancer, hormone therapy is often the primary treatment approach [1]. This type of cancer is fueled by hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Hormone therapy works by either lowering the amount of these hormones in the body or blocking them from reaching the breast cancer cells [6].

Tamoxifen: A Commonly Used SERM

One of the most commonly used hormone therapies for PR-positive breast cancer is tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) [9]. Tamoxifen has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence and improving survival rates in patients with early-stage breast cancer. The standard treatment duration for tamoxifen is typically five years, although some patients may receive two to three years of therapy followed by an additional two to three years of another hormone therapy [8].

Other Hormone Therapies

In addition to tamoxifen, other hormone therapies such as raloxifene (Evista) and zanidatamab-hrii (Ziihera) may also be used to treat PR-positive breast cancer. These medications work by targeting specific receptors on the surface of cancer cells, preventing them from receiving hormones that stimulate their growth [5].

Importance of Hormone Receptor Status

It's essential to note that hormone therapy is only effective for patients with PR-positive breast cancer. Patients with other types of breast cancer may not benefit from this treatment approach. Therefore, it's crucial to determine the hormone receptor status of a patient's tumor before initiating hormone therapy [2].

References:

[1] Sep 22, 2024 — Hormone therapy is often used after surgery (as adjuvant therapy) to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. [2] Mar 22, 2023 — Hormone therapy is only used for breast cancers that are found to have receptors for the naturally occurring hormones estrogen or progesterone. [5] May 6, 2024 — One of the main treatments for PR-positive breast cancer is hormone therapy, which keeps HR-positive cancer cells from using hormones to grow. [6] Hormone therapies slow or stop the growth of hormone receptor-positive tumors by preventing the cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. [8] Sep 27, 2024 — In most cases, the standard of care is five years of tamoxifen, or two to three years of tamoxifen followed by two to three years of an ... [9] SERMs like tamoxifen (Nolvadex®, Soltamox®) and raloxifene (Evista®) are effective treatments for some types of breast cancer.

Understanding Progesterone-Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Progesterone-receptor positive (PR+) breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer where the cancer cells have receptors for the hormone progesterone. This means that the cancer cells receive signals from progesterone, which can promote their growth and survival.

Differential Diagnosis

In the context of PR+ breast cancer, differential diagnosis involves identifying other conditions or factors that may be contributing to the development or progression of the disease. Some possible differentials for PR+ breast cancer include:

• Hormonal influences: Progesterone is a hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. In some cases, high levels of progesterone can stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.
• Estrogen receptor status: While PR+ breast cancer refers specifically to cancers with receptors for progesterone, it's also possible for these cancers to be estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) or ER-negative (ER-).
• Progesterone receptor expression: The level and intensity of progesterone receptor expression can vary among different tumors. This may impact the effectiveness of treatments targeting PR+ breast cancer.
• Other hormonal factors: Other hormones, such as prolactin or cortisol, may also play a role in the development or progression of PR+ breast cancer.

Key Considerations

When considering differential diagnosis for PR+ breast cancer, it's essential to take into account:

• Tumor characteristics: The size, grade, and stage of the tumor can influence treatment decisions.
• Patient factors: Age, menopausal status, and other health conditions may impact treatment options and outcomes.
• Genetic predisposition: Some women with PR+ breast cancer may have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, which could indicate a genetic component.

References

1. [5] May 6, 2024 — Some breast cancer cells have progesterone receptors on them. This is called progesterone-receptor positive, or PR positive (PR+), breast cancer.
2. [3] Nov 13, 2024 — A cancer is progesterone receptor-positive if it has progesterone receptors. Again, this means that the cancer cells receive signals from progesterone.
3. [6] Oct 31, 2024 — A breast cancer that's progesterone receptor positive, also called PR positive, has receptors for the hormone progesterone. Treatment with hormone therapy may be effective in some cases.

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