Intra nuclear estrogen receptor status and its clinicopathological correlation in breast cancer patients.

Intranuclear estrogen receptor (ERn) content of breast cancer tissue is thought to be more closely related to prognosis, and response to hormone treatment, as compared to conventional cytosolic estrogen receptor (REc). ERn and ERc levels in primary breast carcinoma tissue were assayed by ER-Enzyme immuno assay (ER-EIA), and the correlation of ERn with ERc and clinico-pathological parameters were assessed. ERn concentration and positive status, with 15 fmol as the cut-off value for positivity, is related to increasing age, lesser parity, post-menopausal status and smaller tumor size. A significant correlation exists between ERn and lesser metastatic axillary nodes and the early TNM stage. ERn was found to be correlated to better tumor differentiation, absent or slight L-R response and tumor necrosis.