Original Article

Evaluation of Estradiol Levels, Lipid Profile, Estrogen Receptor Status and its Correlation with Histological Variants in Benign Breast Diseases

Seema Khanna, Seema Singh, H.D. Khanna, Mohan Kumar and Sanjeev K. Gupta
World Journal of Pathology 2012, 1:3

Abstract

Background: Benign breast diseases encompass a heterogeneous group of lesions which are thought to have an endocrine basis. They occur at a younger age in comparison to breast cancer and their etiopathogenesis has not been studied in as much detail as breast cancer.

Aim: To estimate the serum estradiol levels, serum lipid profile and tissue estrogen receptor status in patients of benign breast disease.

Material & Methods: Serum estradiol and lipid levels were measured biochemically while tissue estrogen receptors were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 60 patients of benign breast disease and 20 normal age matched controls.

Results: Serum estradiol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in benign breast disease patients compared to controls (149 pg/ml vs 115 pg/ml and 164 mg/dL vs 105 mg/dL). The highest estrogen receptor status positivity was observed in fibroadenoma and lesser in fibroadenosis and fibrocystic disease.

Discussion: Higher levels of serum triglycerides and estradiol observed in benign breast disease compared to control suggest their possible etiopathological role. It is possible that higher lipid level leads to increased peripheral production of estrogen. Estrogen receptor positivity was higher in fibroadenomas compared to fibroadenosis and fibrocystic breast disease. Endocrine treatment of these conditions needs to be considered in light of findings of our study.

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