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Hormone Receptor Status

Also known as: Oestrogen receptors; Progesterone receptors
Formal name: Oestrogen and Progesterone receptor status
Related tests: Her-2/neu; Tumour markers

The Test

How is it used?

Hormone receptor status is used as a prognostic marker. Those with ER- and PR-positive tumours tend to have a better prognosis than those with ER- or PR-negative tumours.

The hormone receptor status test is also used to help determine treatment options, including endocrine therapy (anti-hormone treatments, such as tamoxifen), when a primary tumour has been removed or to help guide treatment decisions when a tumour recurs.

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When is it requested?

Hormone receptor status testing is recommended as part of an initial workup of invasive breast cancer. It is not diagnostic but helps the doctor to determine treatment options and to understand more about the tumour's characteristics.

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What does the test result mean?

In general, if a patient's cancer is ER- and PR-positive, the patient will have a better-than-average prognosis, and their cancer is likely to respond to endocrine therapy (anti-hormone treatments). The more receptors present and the more intense their reaction, the more likely the response. However, an individual's response depends on a variety of factors.
If a patient's cancer is ER-negative but PR-positive, the patient may still benefit from endocrine therapy but may have a diminished response.

If the cancer is both ER- and PR-negative, then the patient will probably not benefit from endocrine therapy.

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Is there anything else I should know?

Her-2/neu testing may be done at the same time as hormone receptor status testing. A patient with a positive oestrogen and/or progesterone receptor status may find their response to endocrine therapy diminished if they are also Her-2/neu-positive.

Hormone receptor status testing is not available in every laboratory.

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