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Hormone receptor status

Also known as: Oestrogen receptors; progesterone receptors
Formal name: Oestrogen and progesterone receptor status
Related tests: Her-2/neu, tumour markers

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To determine whether a breast cancer tumour is positive for oestrogen and/or progesterone receptors, which helps to guide treatment and determine prognosis

When to Get Tested?

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and your doctor wants to determine whether the tumour's growth is influenced by the hormones oestrogen and/or progesterone

Sample Required?

A sample of breast cancer tissue obtained during a biopsy or a tumour removed surgically during a lumpectomy or mastectomy

The Test Sample

What is being tested?

Oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors are specialised proteins found within certain cells throughout the body. These receptors bind to oestrogen and progesterone, female hormonesthat circulate in the blood, and promote new cell growth and division.

Many breast cancer tumours have receptors for oestrogen and/or progesterone, often in large numbers. These tumours are said to be hormone-dependent, and oestrogen and/or progesterone feed their growth. Breast cancer tissue can be tested to see if it is positive for these receptors.

How is the sample collected for testing?

A sample of breast cancer tissue is obtained (such as by doing a fine needle aspiration, needle biopsy, or surgical biopsy) or a tumour removed surgically during a lumpectomy or mastectomy is tested.

The Test

How is it used?

Hormone receptor status is used as a prognostic marker. Those with oestrogen receptor (OR)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive tumours tend to have a better prognosis than those with OR- or PR-negative tumours.

The hormone receptor status test is also used to help determine treatment options, including endocrine therapy (anti-hormone treatments, such as tamoxifen), when a primary tumour has been removed or to help guide treatment decisions when a tumour recurs.

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When is it requested?

Hormone receptor status testing is recommended as part of an initial workup of invasive breast cancer. It is not diagnostic but helps the doctor to determine treatment options and to understand more about the tumour's characteristics.

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What does the test result mean?

In general, if a patient's cancer is OR- and PR-positive, the patient will have a better-than-average prognosis and their cancer is likely to respond to endocrine therapy (anti-hormone treatments). The more receptors present and the more intense their reaction, the more likely the response. However, an individual's response depends on a variety of factors.

If a patient's cancer is OR-negative but PR-positive, the patient may still benefit from endocrine therapy but may have a diminished response.

If the cancer is both OR- and PR-negative, then the patient will probably not benefit from endocrine therapy.

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Is there anything else I should know?

Her-2/neu testing may be done at the same time as hormone receptor status testing. A patient with a positive oestrogen and/or progesterone receptor status may find their response to endocrine therapy diminished if they are also Her-2/neu-positive.

However, specific treatment is now available for Her-2/neu-positive breast cancers.

Hormone receptor status testing is not available in every laboratory.

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Common Questions

1.  Is there a blood test that can be done to check my hormone receptor status?

No. The cancer cells do not ‘shed’ the receptors, so they are not detectable in the blood. They must be evaluated in the cancer tissue itself.

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NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.