IHC - BREAST HORMONE RECEPTOR PANEL (ER, PR, HER2NEU)

IHC – Breast Hormone Receptor Panel

(ER, PR, HER2neu)

The Breast Hormone Receptor Panel is a specialized immunohistochemistry (IHC) diagnostic test used to evaluate three essential breast cancer biomarkers:

• ER (Estrogen Receptor)
• PR (Progesterone Receptor)
• HER2neu (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2)

This advanced panel helps classify breast cancer subtype, determine prognosis, and guide personalized treatment planning.

Breast cancer cells may grow in response to hormones like estrogen and progesterone or due to HER2 protein overexpression. Identifying these receptor patterns helps oncologists choose the most effective treatment options such as:

• Hormone therapy
• HER2-targeted therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Combined treatment strategies

The test is performed on FFPE (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded) breast tissue biopsy or surgical specimens using highly specific antibody staining techniques. Expert oncopathologists microscopically analyze receptor expression to determine whether the tumor is hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, or receptor-negative.

This information is critical for deciding treatment intensity and predicting response to targeted therapies.

The Breast Hormone Receptor Panel is considered a standard and essential diagnostic test for all newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer patients.

Benefits of the Test

• Accurately classifies breast cancer subtype
• Identifies hormone therapy eligibility
• Detects HER2-targeted treatment suitability
• Helps predict treatment response
• Supports personalized oncology care
• Improves treatment planning precision

Why Doctors Recommend This Test

Doctors commonly recommend the Breast Hormone Receptor Panel when:

• Breast cancer is newly diagnosed
• Tumor subtype classification is required
• Hormone receptor evaluation is needed
• HER2-targeted therapy eligibility must be assessed
• Treatment planning depends on receptor status
• Biopsy confirmation requires further profiling
• Personalized cancer management is necessary
• Prognostic evaluation is required

This panel ensures evidence-based and individualized breast cancer treatment planning.

Preparation Before the Test

Preparation usually includes:

• Submission of FFPE breast tissue block or unstained slides
• Previous histopathology reports
• Relevant imaging reports (mammogram, MRI, ultrasound)
• Proper tissue labeling and packaging
• Laboratory authorization documentation

No fasting or direct patient preparation is required.

Normal Reporting Time

The normal reporting time for the Breast Hormone Receptor Panel is usually 4–7 working days, depending on tissue processing and interpretation complexity.

Who Should Take This Test?

This test is recommended for:

• Patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer
• Individuals requiring tumor subtype classification
• Patients needing targeted therapy evaluation
• Individuals under oncology treatment planning
• Patients requiring HER2 status assessment
• Individuals needing advanced breast cancer profiling

At Focus Diagnostics Hyderabad, advanced immunohistochemistry technology and expert breast oncopathology specialists ensure highly accurate ER, PR, and HER2neu reports for reliable diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.