Correlation of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Expression with Clinicopathological Features in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v52i1.88154Keywords:
Epithelial ovarian cancer, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, immunohistochemistry, prognostic biomarkerAbstract
Background: Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in poor prognosis despite modern management strategies. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) may serve as prognostic biomarkers and guide potential hormonal therapy.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of ER and PR expression in EOC and to assess their association with clinical and histopathological characteristics.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, from July 2020 to June 2021. Forty women with histologically confirmed primary EOC were enrolled. Demographic, reproductive, and clinical data were collected. Histological grading and subtyping were performed, and ER/PR expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Associations of hormone receptor status with clinical and histopathological features were analyzed using Chi-squared and t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Among the study population, 30% of tumors were ER positive and 22.5% PR positive. Histologically, 65% were serous, 30% mucinous, and 5% clear cell carcinomas, with 80% being Grade-III. ER overexpression was significantly associated with high-grade tumors (Grade-III, p = 0.038) and marginally associated with advanced stage (Stage III, p = 0.051). PR positivity was significantly associated with serous histology (p = 0.044) and higher clinical stage (Stage III, 55.6%). No significant associations were observed between ER status and reproductive characteristics, whereas PR-positive patients were significantly older than PR-negative counterparts (p = 0.039).
Conclusion: ER overexpression in EOC is significantly associated with higher histological grade, while PR overexpression is associated with serous subtype and advanced stage. These findings suggest potential prognostic and therapeutic implications of hormone receptor status in EOC. Further studies with larger cohorts are recommended to confirm their role in guiding endocrine therapy.
Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2026;52(1): 50-56
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Copyright (c) 2026 Humaira Hoque, Salma Akhtar Walida, Nasrin Hossain , Mousumi Mallica, Md. Wareshuzzaman
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