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Abstract Background Androgen receptor (AR) expression is emerging as a prognostic biomarker in breast carcinoma (BCa). The study aimed to determine the prevalence of AR expression by immunohistochemical analysis among a cohort of Sri Lankan women with early BCa and to evaluate its association with clinicopathological features including immunohistochemical molecular subtype and early survival. Method We studied the clinical and pathological features and immunohistochemical profile of 141 women undergoing primary surgery for early BCa, followed by standard adjuvant therapy. AR status was assessed by immunohistochemistry in all cases. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was determined. The relationship between AR expression and clinical and pathological parameters and immunohistochemical molecular subtype was analyzed using Student T test and chi-square tests. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic impact of AR expression. Results AR expression was seen in 40.8%(95%CI 33.10–49.07%) of the BCa study cohort. None of the clinical data studied showed a significant association with the AR status(p > 0.05). Ductal carcinoma in situ(p = 0.003), oestrogen receptor (ER) (p = 0.001) and progesterone receptor (PR) (p = 0.001) positivity and luminal IHC molecular subtype(p = 0.016) were significantly associated with AR-positive status. AR-negative status was significantly associated with tumour necrosis > 50%(p = 0.031), moderate to extensive lymphocytic infiltrate at the tumour margin(p = 0.025) and basal triple negative breast carcinoma(p = 0.016). The mean duration of patient follow-up was 46.70(95% CI 46.495–46.905) months (3.89 years). On univariate analysis, AR-positivity was associated with better OS among ER-positive tumours(p = 0.047), specifically in postmenopausal women (p = 0.030). In ER-negative tumours, AR positivity was associated with worse DFS (p = 0.036). On multivariate analysis, TNM stage and ER/AR status were predictive of survival. ER-positive/AR-positive (ER+/AR+) tumours demonstrated better OS than ER-positive/AR-negative (ER+/AR-) tumours(p = 0.015). ER-negative/AR-positive (ER−/AR+) tumours (p = 0.014) had a worse DFS than ER-negative/AR-negative (ER−/AR-) tumours. Conclusions AR prevalence obtained was low. AR positivity was associated with positivity for ER and PR. On multivariate analysis, apart from TNM stage only ER/AR status were predictive of OS and DFS, with concordant expression of ER/AR demonstrating a better, early survival.

Background: Triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) and basal-like breast carcinoma (BLBC) are subtypes of breast carcinoma (BCa) that are associated with poor survival. Aims: To study the prevalence, clinicopathological profile and survival of TNBC among a Sri Lankan patient cohort and to determine the proportion and predictive histological features of BLBC among TNBCs. Study Setting and Design: A cohort of 221 women undergoing primary surgery for BCa at a tertiary-care center in Sri Lanka was studied. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathological and follow-up information were collected by patient interviews and review of slides and clinical records. Estrogen, progesterone, HER2 receptors, and basal markers (CK5/6, CK14, EGFR, 34βE12) were evaluated immunohistochemically. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed with Chi-square test, multinomial logistic regression, and Cox regression using SPSS20.0. Results: Fifty-three (24%) tumors were triple-negative (95%CI = 18.37%–29.63%). On multivariate analysis, young age (P = 0.002), high Nottingham grade (P = 0.005), moderate to severe tumor necrosis (P = 0.004), absent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (P = 0.04), reduced vascular density at tumor edge (P = 0.016) and distinct cell margins (P = 0.047) predicted TNBC over luminal subgroups, whereas reduced vascular density (P = 0.004) and low TNM stage (P = 0.011) distinguished TNBC and HER2. BLBC accounted for 45.28% (95%CI 32.66%–58.55%-24/53) of TNBC. The presence of extensive necrosis in TNBC correlated significantly with BLBC (P = 0.03). The survival among the TNBC subgroup did not differ significantly from other subgroups. Conclusion: Twenty four percent were TNBCs by immunohistochemical analysis, comparable to studies in the Indian subcontinent, however higher than the West. TNBC status correlated with younger age, high tumor grade, necrosis, absent DCIS, reduced vascular density at tumor edge, and distinct cell margins. The presence of moderate to extensive necrosis in TNBC was predictive of BLBC.

Despite the advances in biochemical methods and imaging techniques, Cushing’s syndrome (CS) related to ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion continues to pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to the clinician. The work up involves establishment of endogenous Cushing’syndrone, diagnosis of ACTH dependency, localization of the source of ACTH secretion and rapid biochemical control of hypercortisolaemia. The diagnostic pathway is made difficult by recurrent sepsis, relative hypoadrenalism, drug side effects as well as unmasked incidental lesions. We report a patient presenting with Cushing’s syndrome associated with ectopic ACTH secretion from abronchial carcinoid whose management presented multiple diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.