ABSTRACT

To investigate the correlation among Bcl-2 and C erbB-2 and classical prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. In addition we aimed to investigate the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to these prognostic factors our patients with stage III breast cancer.

In the study, 20 patients with the diagnosis of fibroadenoma were assigned as the control group (Group 1). There were 4 study groups: 20 patients who were diagnosed as stage I, II breast cancer(Group 2). 20 patients found as stage III breast cancer according to evaluation of the pathological specimens(Group 3), neoadjuvant chemotherapy receiving 16 patients whom diseases were accepted as stage III after physical examination and imaging studies(Group 4), 10 of the group 4 patients who underwent surgical treatment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Group 5). Modified radical mastectomy was performed in the study groups and excisional biopsy for the control group. Specimens were evaluated for Bcl-2, C erbB-2.

Statistical significance was found for Bcl-2 positivity among the groups(p<0.05). Estrogen and progesteron receptor levels were found significantly higher(p<0.05) in Bcl-2 positive, and lower in C erbB-2 positive patients. In Bcl-2 positive patients axillary lymph node involvement was lesser, and was higher in C erbB-2, but was not statistically significant(p>0.05). Groups 4 and 5 were not statistically different for Bcl-2 and C erbB-2 status(p>0.05).

Besides the classical prognostic factors, Bcl-2 and C erbB-2 levels may predict the prognosis and response to the treatment.