Volume 82, Issue 12 (March 2025)
Tehran Univ Med J 2025, 82(12): 919-924 |
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Sajadi S H, Karimi M. Histopathological and immunohistochemical study of
malignant breast tumors in Iran. Tehran Univ Med J 2025; 82 (12) :919-924
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13450-en.html
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13450-en.html
1- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Abstract: (1160 Views)
Background: Approximately 16% of all female cancers. Due to its high prevalence and considerable impact on patient survival, comprehensive evaluation of histopathological and molecular features is crucial for improving disease management. This study aimed to analyze the histopathological spectrum and immunohistochemical (IHC) molecular subtypes of invasive breast tumors in an Iranian population, with the ultimate goal of guiding tailored therapeutic strategies.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 at Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Initially, 110 female patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma were evaluated. After applying exclusion criteria (bilateral breast cancer, in-situ carcinoma, prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or inadequate pathological specimens), 10 patients were excluded, leaving 100 cases for final analysis. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records, while histopathological assessment was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and Ki-67 expression, enabling classification into molecular subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-enriched, and Basal-like. Tumor grade and stage were determined according to AJCC/UICC criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21, with significance set at P<0.05.
Results: The patients’ ages ranged from 26 to 73 years, with a mean age of 49.5 years. Histopathologically, invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 89% of cases, followed by lobular (5%), medullary (3%), and other rare subtypes (3%). Molecular classification revealed 9% Luminal A, 65% Luminal B, 11% HER2-enriched, and 15% Basal-like. A significant association was found between tumor grade and molecular subtype (P=0.001). Luminal B tumors showed the highest frequency of grade III lesions, axillary lymph node metastasis, and advanced tumor stage (II-III), indicating more aggressive biological behavior compared to Luminal A.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that invasive ductal carcinoma is the predominant histological type of breast cancer, with Luminal B being the most prevalent molecular subtype in the studied population. The findings highlight the importance of molecular profiling for accurate prognostication and treatment planning. In particular, the aggressive features of Luminal B tumors emphasize the need for more intensive therapeutic approaches. Incorporating routine IHC-based subtyping into breast cancer management protocols could significantly enhance patient outcomes and support the implementation of precision oncology in Iran.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 at Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Initially, 110 female patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma were evaluated. After applying exclusion criteria (bilateral breast cancer, in-situ carcinoma, prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy, or inadequate pathological specimens), 10 patients were excluded, leaving 100 cases for final analysis. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records, while histopathological assessment was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and Ki-67 expression, enabling classification into molecular subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-enriched, and Basal-like. Tumor grade and stage were determined according to AJCC/UICC criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21, with significance set at P<0.05.
Results: The patients’ ages ranged from 26 to 73 years, with a mean age of 49.5 years. Histopathologically, invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 89% of cases, followed by lobular (5%), medullary (3%), and other rare subtypes (3%). Molecular classification revealed 9% Luminal A, 65% Luminal B, 11% HER2-enriched, and 15% Basal-like. A significant association was found between tumor grade and molecular subtype (P=0.001). Luminal B tumors showed the highest frequency of grade III lesions, axillary lymph node metastasis, and advanced tumor stage (II-III), indicating more aggressive biological behavior compared to Luminal A.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that invasive ductal carcinoma is the predominant histological type of breast cancer, with Luminal B being the most prevalent molecular subtype in the studied population. The findings highlight the importance of molecular profiling for accurate prognostication and treatment planning. In particular, the aggressive features of Luminal B tumors emphasize the need for more intensive therapeutic approaches. Incorporating routine IHC-based subtyping into breast cancer management protocols could significantly enhance patient outcomes and support the implementation of precision oncology in Iran.
Keywords: breast cancer, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, molecular classification.
Type of Study: Original Article |
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