Immunohistochemical Classification of Breast Cancer and its Importance in the Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Approach

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a growing public health problem and it represents a challenge for health systems. In 2012, in the world, 1.6 million new cases of breast cancer which correspond to 25.0% of all cases in the female population were registered. It is a multifactorial disease with great clinical variety and diverse histological types. Immunohistochemistry is used to classify the tumor, assess the prognosis, improve the diagnosis and guide the management of breast neoplasias. Objective: To review the current literature regarding the immunohistochemical classification of breast cancer with emphasis on diagnosis, prognosis and management of it. Methodology: This review article was performed with 50 articles retrieved, as a result of a comprehensive search strategy of publications from 2000. Outcomes: The main biomarkers used for prognostic or predictive purposes are: histological grade, estrogenreceptor- positive (ER), progesterone (PR) and the presence of oncogene Her2/neu; being these last 3 the foundation of the current immunohistochemical classification.The expression of these molecules is used to refer to tumor lesions; luminal tumors are those that express ER or PR and, not luminal tumors those that lack such receptors.In these subtypes have described and demonstrated differences in response to various therapeutic modalities.Conclusions: Immunohistochemical classification of breast cancer allowspersonalizing each case and plays a key role in the diagnosis, prognosis and selection of a more effective specific oncological therapy. [Melo-Sánchez SA, Gelvez-Parra LT, Osma-Zambrano SE. Immunohistochemical Classification of Breast Cancer and its Importance in the Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Approach. MedUNAB 2016; 18(3): 193-203].