ER/PR+ vs ER/PR– Breast Cancer: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Causes & Risk factors

There are some factors that increase the risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, including:

• Long-term exposure to estrogen (e.g., early menstrual periods or late menopause can raise the risk).
• Obesity, hormone replacement therapy, and other hormonal imbalances, because all of these factors can influence estrogen/progesterone levels, might play a role. 
• The fact is that this cancer is driven by hormone receptors, which means, in simpler terms, that the biological tumor is such that its ‘hormonal imbalance’.

Treatment options for based on ER/PR Status

Here are some of the treatment options used for ER/PR positive status cancer in breasts, including:

These tumors are often fueled by hormones, so the treatments often involve hormonal (endocrine) therapy, additionally, healthcare providers recommend the usual combinations of surgery, radiation and in some cases, chemotherapy also advised.  

Here are some of the treatment options, including:

• Surgery: These are often performed to remove the tumor or mastectomy depending on the size of the tumor, and its location and preference. 
• Radiation therapy: These treatments are especially used after lumpectomy in the patients. 
• Chemotherapy: These treatments are used in patients, mainly depending on the risk factors, including grade, size, lymph node status, doubling time, etc. 
• Hormonal therapies:

1. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like tamoxifen.
2. Aromatase inhibitors (for post-menopausal women) like letrozole, exemestane.
3. Ovarian suppression in (pre-menopausal women) via drugs or surgery.
4. Fulvestraint is used in some cases, which blocks estrogen receptors.

Why it works:

These types of tumors have estrogen/ progesterone receptors, so by cutting off the hormone stimulus, it helps to reduce the tumor growth.

Why Hormone receptor really matters!

When a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, their hormone receptor status (ER/PR) is one of the first and most important pieces of information. This information guides the patients to understand what therapies will work and what the expected outlook will be. 

For patients with HR+ breast cancer, there is an additional benefit of using hormone therapy, which is less toxic, in many cases, than chemotherapy, and it can reduce the risk of recurrence. 

Meanwhile, HR- breast cancer, because hormone therapy won’t work, doctors will often advise more aggressive treatment approaches, including chemotherapy. Many patients might need more frequent monitoring for recurrence.  

In the breast cancer research perspective, understanding why some HR+ cancers become resistant (Lose HR, activate other pathways) is a big concern. Better biomarkers are therapies that are evolving.

For patients and caregivers: A hormone receptor status helps patients to understand the treatment expectations or the treatment plan and ask questions of their doctors, like, "Why am I getting my hormone therapy?" Etc.

Consult Today

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, understanding these types of cancer, ER/PR positive vs. ER/PR negative, is essential. These often affect how the disease is classified, its treatment options, its prognosis, and the importance of monitoring, which is necessary going forward. 

At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.

If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!