progesterone-receptor negative breast cancer

Progesterone-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

Progesterone-receptor negative (PR-negative) breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for the hormone progesterone. This means that the cancer cells do not respond to progesterone, which is one of the two main female hormones involved in breast cancer development.

Characteristics and Treatment

• Lack of response to hormone therapy: PR-negative tumors do not express progesterone receptors, making them unresponsive to hormone therapy drugs that target these receptors.
• Similarities with triple-negative breast cancer: PR-negative breast cancers share similarities with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is characterized by the lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR).
• Aggressive nature: PR-negative tumors tend to be more aggressive and have a higher risk of recurrence compared to hormone receptor-positive tumors.

Key Points

• Progesterone-receptor negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy.
• It shares similarities with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
• PR-negative tumors are often more aggressive and have a higher risk of recurrence.

Citations:

• [5] Hormone receptor-negative tumors are estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) and progesterone receptor-negative (PR- negative). These tumors do not express ...
• [7] Hormone receptor-negative breast cancers do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors. These types of cancers will not benefit from hormone therapy drugs and ...
• [8] by R Yoder · 2022 · Cited by 30 — Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is defined by the lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and ...

Understanding Progesterone-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

Progesterone-receptor negative (PR-negative) breast cancer refers to a type of breast cancer that does not have progesterone receptors. This means that the cancer cells do not respond to hormone therapy drugs that target progesterone receptors.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of PR-negative breast cancer can be similar to those of other types of breast cancer. According to various sources [2, 4], some common signs and symptoms include:

• A mass or lump in the breast, which may feel as small as a pea
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast
• Redness or scaliness of the skin
• Nipple discharge or retraction

It's essential to note that not all women with PR-negative breast cancer will experience these symptoms. In some cases, the cancer may be detected during a routine mammogram or physical examination.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of PR-negative breast cancer is typically made through a combination of imaging tests (such as mammography and ultrasound), biopsy, and laboratory tests to determine the presence of progesterone receptors. Treatment options for PR-negative breast cancer often involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as hormone therapy may not be effective in this type of cancer [6].

References

[2] A previous study indicated that greater exposure to progesterone increases breast cancer risk and leads to the development of hormone receptor-... (Source: 5)

[4] A mass or lump, which may feel as

Based on the search results, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests available for breast cancer, including those that determine the presence or absence of progesterone receptors.

• The hormone receptor status test is a common lab test that measures the percentage of breast cancer cells that have estrogen or progesterone receptors. This test can help determine if hormone therapy should be offered [1].
• 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 [4].
• The HER2/neu test is another lab test that measures the presence of the HER2 protein in breast cancer cells. This test can provide insight into which cancer treatment may be most effective [3].

It's worth noting that these tests are not specific to progesterone-receptor negative breast cancer, but rather are general diagnostic tests for breast cancer.

In terms of specific tests for progesterone-receptor negative breast cancer, it appears that there is limited information available. However, some studies suggest that other types of tests, such as PET scans using radioactive tracers like FFNP, may be used to diagnose and stage breast cancer [5].

It's also worth noting that the pathology report will include the results of a test that tells you if the breast cancer cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone [7]. However, this information is not specific to progesterone-receptor negative breast cancer.

References:

[1] Dec 3, 2021 — Estrogen and progesterone receptor testing measures the percentage of breast cancer cells that have estrogen or progesterone receptors. [3] Aug 8, 2024 — The two most common lab tests are the hormone receptor test and the HER2/neu test. Results from these tests can provide insight into which cancer treatment ... [4] 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. [5] Mar 11, 2021 — The test involves a PET scan that uses a radioactive tracer called FFNP, which binds specifically to progesterone receptors. When more ... [7] Nov 13, 2024 — Your pathology report will include the results of a test that tells you if the breast cancer cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen ...

Treatment Options for Progesterone-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

Progesterone-receptor negative (PR-negative) breast cancers are a type of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer that do not have receptors for the naturally occurring hormones estrogen or progesterone. As a result, treatment with hormone therapy drugs is not helpful for these cancers.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used as a primary treatment for PR-negative breast cancers. This involves using medications to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.
• Targeted therapies: Targeted drug therapy uses medicines that are directed at proteins on breast cancer cells that help them grow, spread, and live longer. Examples of targeted therapies include HER2-targeted therapies (HER2 antibody therapies, HER2 antibody-drug conjugates).
• Alpelisib: Alpelisib is a targeted therapy used with fulvestrant in some women who have gone through menopause who have advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. However, its effectiveness for PR-negative breast cancers is not well established.
• Other treatments: Other treatment options may include surgery and radiation therapy to remove or destroy the cancer.

Key Points

• Hormone therapy drugs are not effective for PR-negative breast cancers [3].
• Chemotherapy is often used as a primary treatment for PR-negative breast cancers [5].
• Targeted therapies, such as HER2-targeted therapies, may be used in combination with chemotherapy [7].
• Alpelisib may be used in some cases, but its effectiveness for PR-negative breast cancers is not well established [12].

References

[3] Hormone therapy is only used for breast cancers that are found to have receptors for the naturally occurring hormones estrogen or progesterone. [5] Some drugs used specifically to treat MBC include: • Chemotherapy. • HER2-targeted therapies (HER2 antibody therapies, HER2 antibody-drug conjugates ... [7] Targeted drug therapy uses medicines that are directed at (target) proteins on breast cancer cells that help them grow, spread, and live longer. [12] Alpelisib is a targeted therapy used with fulvestrant in some women who have gone through menopause who have advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2 – negative breast cancer.

Progesterone-Receptor Negative Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Overview

Progesterone-receptor negative (PR-negative) breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that lacks receptors for progesterone, which is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of breast cells. In this condition, the cancer cells do not have the necessary receptors to attach to progesterone, making it difficult for hormone-based therapies to be effective.

Characteristics of PR-Negative Breast Cancer

• Lack of progesterone receptors: The primary characteristic of PR-negative breast cancer is the absence or low expression of progesterone receptors in the cancer cells.
• Aggressive behavior: PR-negative breast cancers tend to grow and spread more aggressively than those with progesterone receptors, making them more challenging to treat.
• Higher recurrence risk: Studies have shown that patients with PR-negative breast cancer are at a higher risk of recurrence compared to those with PR-positive tumors.

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for PR-negative breast cancer involves ruling out other types of breast cancers and identifying the specific subtype. Some possible differentials include:

• Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): TNBC is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 protein overexpression.
• HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: While not necessarily PR-negative, HER2-positive breast cancers can be aggressive and require targeted therapies.
• Breast Cancers with Low ER/PgR Expression: Some breast cancers may have low expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, which can make treatment decisions more complex.

Implications for Treatment

The diagnosis of PR-negative breast cancer has significant implications for treatment. Since hormone-based therapies are not effective in this subtype, alternative treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or immunotherapy may be considered.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in the treatment of PR-negative breast cancer.
• Targeted Therapies: Targeted therapies that inhibit specific molecular pathways involved in cancer growth and progression may also be used.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapies that stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells are being explored as potential treatments for PR-negative breast cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PR-negative breast cancer is a distinct subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence or low expression of progesterone receptors. The differential diagnosis involves ruling out other types of breast cancers and identifying the specific subtype. Treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis, taking into account the patient's overall health, tumor characteristics, and molecular profile.

References

• [6] About 2%-8% of breast cancers have receptors for progesterone but not estrogen.
• [4] Hormone-receptor negative (HR-negative) breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that lacks receptors for estrogen or progesterone.
• [14] This study aims to investigate genomic differences among HER2-negative subtypes, including PR-negative and ER-low subgroups.

Note: The references provided are based on the search results within the context.