Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: Aug | Volume: 7 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 82-86
Prolactin: An Emerging Prognostic Marker in Breast Cancer
Dr Manisha Jain1, Dr Sunil Ranga2, Dr Uma Sharma3, Dr Vimal Bhandari4
1Senior Resident, 2Professor & Consultant, 3Ex- Professor & Consultant,
Department of Pathology, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
4Professor & Consultant, Department of Surgery, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
Corresponding Author: Dr Manisha Jain
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The outcome for women with breast cancer varies widely, so it becomes increasingly important that the clinician is provided with accurate prognostic information on which to base the therapeutic decision. Some bio-chemical prognostic markers like hormones & tumor markers are use for prognostic purposes, yet need to be established as independent prognostic marker. Prolactin, a peptide hormone, has a role in carcinogenic process of the breast. Some studies have shown that there was a significant correlation between the serum concentration of prolactin before treatment and time and size of metastasis.
Aim: We undertake this study to find out levels of serum prolactin in breast cancer patients and to compare their levels in early and in locally advanced breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: The prospective study of 50 patients of proven breast cancer patients was included in this study whose TNM stage and a baseline serum levels was detected.
Results: This study found that 32% cases had raised level of Prolactin out of which 81.8% were in locally advanced stage. Baseline Prolactin levels was more raised in locally advanced breast cancer than in early breast cancer cases (39.39%, than the early one 17.65%). The Odds of finding late stages in patients with Prolactin >=19 ng/ml was 3.0 times higher as compared to those with lower prolactin levels.
Conclusion: Results point towards hypothesis that pre-operative prolactin levels can be used to predict tumor burden as levels could be related to poor outcome with possibility of micro-metastases thereby predicting type of surgery or adjuvant or neo-adjuvant therapy required.
Key words: breast cancer, prolactin, early breast cancer, locally advanced breast cancer.