Receptor Status query

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noone@anti-spam.invalid - 18 Jan 2004 21:35 GMT

My marker status is ER+ and PR-.
What does this mean with regard to
usefulness of Tamoxifen or Arimidex?

Other info?

TIA,
Dorid

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Tim Jackson - 18 Jan 2004 21:40 GMT

> My marker status is ER+ and PR-.
> What does this mean with regard to
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> TIA,
> Dorid

It means they work.

ER+ means cancer cells over-express estrogen receptors and will be using
estrogen a one of the ways of fuelling uncontrolled growth. Tamoxifen
blocks the estrogen receptors. Arimidex jams the non-ovary production of
estrogen, and so only works if your ovaries are shut down.

PR- means cancer cells don't over-express progesterone receptors. This is
not significant to those drugs.

What other info would you like? Try our FAQ at www.cancersupporters.com

Tim Jackson

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noone@anti-spam.invalid - 18 Jan 2004 21:53 GMT

>> My marker status is ER+ and PR-.
>> What does this mean with regard to
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
>Tim Jackson

Thank you Tim! I wasn't able to find info
regarding PR- combined with ER+. Will meet
with onc on Tues and wanted to be more
informed than at current.

With respect to other info, I was concerned
that PR- might mean addtl/different chemicals
than with ER+, and also wondered if receptor
blocking is used concurrently with shutdown of
estrogen production (Arimidex?)

Thx also for the link. Will do more reading
and check back in after that.
(I am 1 wk post partial mastectomy.)

Dorid

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Tim Jackson - 19 Jan 2004 00:01 GMT

> Thank you Tim! I wasn't able to find info
> regarding PR- combined with ER+. Will meet
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> and check back in after that.
> (I am 1 wk post partial mastectomy.)

Not usually, no. If there is no estrogen there is no point in blocking the
receptors.

AFIK, PR relates mainly to prescription of Megestrol. It might also be used
in assessing the aggression character of the cancer.

Tim

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