The Importance of Immunohistochemical Examination in Breast Cancer

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 25 views

Understanding Breast Cancer: A Global Health Concern

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer accounts for 24.2% of all cancer cases in women, with a mortality rate of 15% in 2018. The development of breast cancer is influenced by various factors, with age being a significant contributor. The classification of breast cancer into different subtypes is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment and providing prognostic information for patients.

The Importance of Immunohistochemical Examination in Breast Cancer

Immunohistochemical examination is a vital tool in determining the clinical subtypes of breast cancer. This examination helps identify the specific characteristics of the cancer cells, which in turn guides the treatment plan and provides valuable prognostic information. The five subtypes of immunohistochemical breast cancer are:

Luminal A: characterized by the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PR)
Luminal B with HER-2 positive: characterized by the presence of ER and/or PR, and overexpression of the HER-2 protein
Luminal B with HER-2 negative: characterized by the presence of ER and/or PR, but no overexpression of the HER-2 protein
Her-2 Enriched: characterized by the overexpression of the HER-2 protein, but no ER or PR expression
Triple Negative: characterized by the absence of ER, PR, and HER-2 protein expression

Research Methods: An Analytic Descriptive Approach

This study employed an analytic descriptive method with a cross-sectional approach to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemical subtypes and age in breast cancer patients. The sample consisted of breast cancer patients treated at the Adam Malik Hajj Hospital between 2016 and 2018. A total sampling approach was used to obtain comprehensive data.

Research Results: No Significant Association between Age and Immunohistochemical Subtypes

The results of this study showed no significant difference between immunohistochemical subtypes and age in breast cancer patients in Adam Malik Hajj Hospital, with a value of P = 0.610. This finding suggests that the age factor has no significant effect on the distribution of immunohistochemical subtypes among breast cancer patients studied.

Additional Analysis and Explanation: The Role of Other Factors

The conclusion of this study confirms that although there are many theories linking age with cancer development, in the context of breast cancer in Haji Adam Malik Hospital, the results showed no strong association. This may be due to other factors that are more influential, such as genetic, lifestyle, or environmental factors, which were not discussed in depth in this study.

Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Research

While immunohistochemical examination is a valuable tool in determining breast cancer subtypes, it is essential to remember that cancer therapy must be individualized and consider various aspects, including but not limited to age, general health conditions, and patient response to treatment. Therefore, further research is needed to explore other factors that may contribute to the development and classification of breast cancer, as well as to understand the implications of this finding in daily clinical practices.

Conclusion: New Insights for Health Professionals and Researchers

The results of this study provide new insights for health professionals and researchers regarding the factors involved in breast cancer, as well as emphasizing the importance of sustainable research in this field to increase understanding and management of breast cancer.

Q: What is the significance of immunohistochemical examination in breast cancer?

A: Immunohistochemical examination is a vital tool in determining the clinical subtypes of breast cancer. This examination helps identify the specific characteristics of the cancer cells, which in turn guides the treatment plan and provides valuable prognostic information.

Q: What are the five subtypes of immunohistochemical breast cancer?

A: The five subtypes of immunohistochemical breast cancer are:

Luminal A: characterized by the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PR)
Luminal B with HER-2 positive: characterized by the presence of ER and/or PR, and overexpression of the HER-2 protein
Luminal B with HER-2 negative: characterized by the presence of ER and/or PR, but no overexpression of the HER-2 protein
Her-2 Enriched: characterized by the overexpression of the HER-2 protein, but no ER or PR expression
Triple Negative: characterized by the absence of ER, PR, and HER-2 protein expression

Q: What is the research design used in this study?

A: This study employed an analytic descriptive method with a cross-sectional approach to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemical subtypes and age in breast cancer patients.

Q: What is the sample size and population used in this study?

A: The sample consisted of breast cancer patients treated at the Adam Malik Hajj Hospital between 2016 and 2018. A total sampling approach was used to obtain comprehensive data.

Q: What are the results of this study?

A: The results of this study showed no significant difference between immunohistochemical subtypes and age in breast cancer patients in Adam Malik Hajj Hospital, with a value of P = 0.610. This finding suggests that the age factor has no significant effect on the distribution of immunohistochemical subtypes among breast cancer patients studied.

Q: What are the implications of this study for clinical practice and future research?

A: While immunohistochemical examination is a valuable tool in determining breast cancer subtypes, it is essential to remember that cancer therapy must be individualized and consider various aspects, including but not limited to age, general health conditions, and patient response to treatment. Therefore, further research is needed to explore other factors that may contribute to the development and classification of breast cancer, as well as to understand the implications of this finding in daily clinical practices.

Q: What are the new insights provided by this study for health professionals and researchers?

A: The results of this study provide new insights for health professionals and researchers regarding the factors involved in breast cancer, as well as emphasizing the importance of sustainable research in this field to increase understanding and management of breast cancer.