[The importance of steroid receptors for the prognosis and hormone treatment of breast cancer patients: a retrospective study in Southeastern Netherlands].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors on the prognosis of patients with operable breast cancer and the decision to treat these patients with adjuvant tamoxifen.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Eight community hospitals in the Southeast Netherlands.


METHODS
Using the registry of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre South, 2862 breast cancer patients were identified with stage I, II or IIIA tumours, treated during the period 1984-1992.


RESULTS
ER and PgR status were known for 2393 (84%) and 1761 (62%) patients respectively. From 1991, over 80% of the postmenopausal, lymph node positive patients had received tamoxifen, irrespective of the steroid receptor status. Of all lymph node negative patients fewer than 3% received adjuvant systemic treatment. Among the lymph node negative patients the steroid receptor status was not a significant predictor of survival. Among the lymph node positive patients whose tumours were both ER-negative and PgR-negative, a 2.8-fold increased risk of death was found during the first four years after primary treatment. The risk of death was not increased if only the ER or only the PgR status was negative.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that ER and PgR receptors are significant prognostic factors for survival in breast cancer patients with involved axillary lymph nodes. The prognostic effect appeared to be restricted to the first four years after primary treatment. Selection of patients for endocrine treatment should be based on the steroid receptor status, considering the importance of the steroid receptors for predicting the response to endocrine treatment.
Voogd
A C
AC
Integraal Kankercentrum Zuid, Eindhoven.
Crommelin
M A
MA
Repelaer van Driel
O J
OJ
Tutein Nolthenius-Puylaert
M C
MC
Vreugdenhil
G
G
Coebergh
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D013629:Tamoxifen
De betekenis van steroïdreceptoren voor de prognose en de hormonale behandeling van patiënten met mammacarcinoom: een retrospectief onderzoek in Zuidoost-Nederland.