Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a prognostic marker: an immunohistochemical study on 315 consecutive breast carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE To assess the independent and interdependent prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in carcinoma of breast in female population. The Type 1 family of growth factor receptors includes epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR also known as EGFR1). METHODS The expression of EGFR protein was analysed immunohistochemically on 315 tumour specimens of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast. These patients also had axillary lymph nodes sampling. RESULTS Overexpression and/or amplification of EGFR was observed in 70 (22.00%) tumours. Eleven (16%) were grade I, 43 (61%) grade II and 16 (23%) grade III tumours. Axillary lymph node metastasis had significant correlation with intensified positivity of EGFR (p < 0.05). Significant number of EGFR positive patients developed local recurrence and distant metastases to brain, liver and bone (p < 0.05). EGFR positivity showed significant correlation with the disease free and overall survival (p < 0.05). At a median follow-up of 48 (4 years) months in EGFR positive patients, the overall survival was 3.39 years and disease free survival was 2.86 years. EGFR negative tumour patients showed a better survival. In this group the overall survival was 4.62 years and the disease free survival was 4 years. CONCLUSION EGFR analysis can be a useful indicator for the selection of patients who are at the high risk, for hormonal therapy decisions and can be useful as a target for new treatment modalities.