Comparison of Tru-Cut and Surgical Biopsy Specimens in Breast Carcinoma Cases Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Authors : Tuba Devrim, Gamze Erkılınç, Saniye Sevim Tuncer, Helin Tinas Abacı, Fazilet Uğur Duman, Eyup Kebapçı

Pages : 827-835

Doi:10.5798/dicletip.1841088

View : 81 | Download : 89

Publication Date : 2025-12-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) induces significant pathological changes in breast tumors, which are essential for assessing treatment response and informing postoperative management. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the changes in hormone receptors and prognostic markers (ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67) in patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy after NACT regimens. Methods: This retrospective study compared the expression of HER2, Ki-67, ER, and PR in tumor tissues from tru-cut biopsy samples and post-NACT resection materials using immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Patients who underwent NACT between January 2021 and 2025 were evaluated. The distribution of patients based on receptor status and molecular subtypes in tru-cut biopsy material was as follows: 51.2% ER-positive, 51.2% PR-positive, 16.3% luminal A, 25.6% luminal B, 27.9% HER2-positive, and 13% triple-negative breast cancer. A small proportion (8%) of resection specimens from patients who received NACT showed post-treatment changes in hormone receptor status (ER and PR). A higher proportion (20%) of resection specimens from patients who received NACT exhibited a decrease in Ki-67 expression, shifting from high to low positivity. Conclusion: Changes in receptor status after NACT cannot be attributed to treatment alone, but the shift from hormone receptor-positive to hormone receptor-negative and loss of HER2 are likely to be due to the effects of NACT. Conversely, shifts from negative to positive are more likely related to intratumoral heterogeneity. Clinically, positive receptor status is important because it can influence adjuvant treatment decisions. Thus, post-NACT reevaluation of biomarkers is essential for accurate therapeutic planning.
Keywords : Meme kanseri, neoadjuvan kemoterapi, biyobelirteç değişikliği, moleküler alt tipi.

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