Research Article

Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases

Volume: 19 Number: 1 January 16, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the changes in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 expression between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases. Materials and methods: A total of 57 patients with breast cancer liver metastases were included. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression in both primary and metastatic tumors. HER2 status was confirmed by silver in situ hybridization (SISH) when necessary. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate changes in biomarker expression. Results: Comparison of biomarker expression between primary and metastatic biopsies revealed changes in ER status in 5 cases (1 from negative to positive, 4 from positive to negative); PR status in 22 cases (4 from negative to positive, 18 from positive to negative); HER2 status in 5 cases (2 from negative to positive, 3 from positive to negative); and Ki-67 status in 13 cases (6 from low to high, 7 from high to low). The discordance rates for ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 were calculated as 8.8%, 38.6%, 8.8%, and 28.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that biomarker expression may change between primary and metastatic breast cancer lesions. Given the crucial role of receptor status in treatment decisions, re-biopsy of metastatic lesions is essential to guide personalized therapy.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pathology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

October 1, 2025

Publication Date

January 16, 2026

Submission Date

March 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 19 Number: 1

APA
Atmış, Ö., Mavili, H. S., Pehlivan, F. S., Kandiloğlu, A. R., & Ayhan, S. (2026). Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 19(1), 45-53. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1656297
AMA
1.Atmış Ö, Mavili HS, Pehlivan FS, Kandiloğlu AR, Ayhan S. Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases. Pam Med J. 2026;19(1):45-53. doi:10.31362/patd.1656297
Chicago
Atmış, Ömer, Hanife Seda Mavili, Fatma Seher Pehlivan, Ali Rıza Kandiloğlu, and Semin Ayhan. 2026. “Evaluation of the Concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 Expression Levels Between Primary Breast Tumors and Their Liver Metastases: A Retrospective Analysis of 57 Cases”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 19 (1): 45-53. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1656297.
EndNote
Atmış Ö, Mavili HS, Pehlivan FS, Kandiloğlu AR, Ayhan S (January 1, 2026) Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases. Pamukkale Medical Journal 19 1 45–53.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Atmış, H. S. Mavili, F. S. Pehlivan, A. R. Kandiloğlu, and S. Ayhan, “Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases”, Pam Med J, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 45–53, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.31362/patd.1656297.
ISNAD
Atmış, Ömer - Mavili, Hanife Seda - Pehlivan, Fatma Seher - Kandiloğlu, Ali Rıza - Ayhan, Semin. “Evaluation of the Concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 Expression Levels Between Primary Breast Tumors and Their Liver Metastases: A Retrospective Analysis of 57 Cases”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 19/1 (January 1, 2026): 45-53. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1656297.
JAMA
1.Atmış Ö, Mavili HS, Pehlivan FS, Kandiloğlu AR, Ayhan S. Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases. Pam Med J. 2026;19:45–53.
MLA
Atmış, Ömer, et al. “Evaluation of the Concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 Expression Levels Between Primary Breast Tumors and Their Liver Metastases: A Retrospective Analysis of 57 Cases”. Pamukkale Medical Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 45-53, doi:10.31362/patd.1656297.
Vancouver
1.Ömer Atmış, Hanife Seda Mavili, Fatma Seher Pehlivan, Ali Rıza Kandiloğlu, Semin Ayhan. Evaluation of the concordance of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 expression levels between primary breast tumors and their liver metastases: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases. Pam Med J. 2026 Jan. 1;19(1):45-53. doi:10.31362/patd.1656297

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