Evaluation of the Hemogram of Breast Cancer Patients Treated by Therapeutic Protocol Based on Immunohistochemical Analysis: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

To gauge the pervasiveness, verdict, and treatment protocols related to hormone receptor status effecting blood chemistry in breast cancer patients, a retrospective study was conducted at the Bahawalpur Institute of Nuclear and Oncology (BINO), Pakistan. 180 breast cancer patients were enrolled in the study on the basis of data availability. Data was collected about patient’s demographics, site, stage and grade of tumour; hormonal status; treatment strategy; Estrogen (ER), Progesterone (PR) and Human Epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2/Neu) receptors; Blood chemistry reports including TLC (Total Leukocyte Count), TRC (Total RBC Count), Haemoglobin, Platelets and Creatinine; and ADRs due to chemotherapy. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analysis of the data. Majority of patients become victim of breast cancer were belonging to age group of 41 to 60 years and half patients had carcinoma of the right breast. Results predict that females present at Stage III was 57%. Pos-tmenopausal women were highly susceptible to disease (63.97%) than pre-menopausal (36.03%). ER/PR positive status was in 50% patients while 23% patients had triple positive status. Chemotherapy was prescribed for hormone negative status patients whereas hormone therapy was preffered for hormone responsible tumours. Her-2 positive status patients were given monoclonal antibody therapy. Treatment strategies directly affected the hemogram of patients while remain un-affected in some patients. Slight decline was observed in TLC, TRC, haemoglobin and platelet count that caused anaemia, poor immunity, anorexia, weight loss, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia whereas elevation in creatininelevel resulted in nephrotoxicity. Patients reported with Adverse Drug Reactions i.e. pain, fever, vomiting, hair loss, anorexia and lethargy were counselled for the life style modifications with special emphasis on dietary recommendations for combating the problems. Breast cancer therapy caused disruption of the normal hemogram values and resulted in bone marrow suppression that was evident from side effects appearence in patients. Nutritional counseling of this fatal disease is recommended for improving their quality of life.