Role of endogenous hormones in premenopausal females with breast carcinoma - a pilot study in north Indian population

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate hormone levels in premenopausal females with breast cancer at the time of diagnosis and to predict their role as a risk factor of breast cancer in females. Circulating hormone levels were measured in 345 previously untreated premenopausal breast cancer patients during luteal phase (19th-21st day). Their results were compared with a group of 345 age-matched healthy controls. Serum prolactin, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels were higher in patients as compared to controls. Regression analysis showed that changes in hormone levels have significant impact on breast cancer. Female patients with breast cancer have abnormalities in hormone levels. These abnormalities may be considered in the pathogenesis of the disease and should be taken into account for the treatment of patients of breast cancer. Reduction of hormone levels might prove to be helpful in preventing breast cancer but further studies are required to prove the benefit of analyzing hormone levels at an early stage.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Prolactin; Testosterone; Estrogen; Progesterone

Internet Journal of Medical Update 2012 July;7(2):25-31