Correlation of prognostic biomarkers with histologic features in Albanian women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women and remains one of the most prevalent contributors to cancer-related mortality worldwide. This study aims to evaluate biomarker expression in women with breast cancer and the correlations between them and other prognostic parameters. A retrospective analysis of 252 subjects was conducted at the Oncology Department of Mother Teresa University Hospital in Albania between 2021 and 2024. The highest rate of the disease was observed in the over-45 age group (92.5%). A family history of cancer was reported in 13.9% of patients. The most common histological type identified was ductal carcinoma (81.3%), which predominantly affected the left breast (57.1%) and was most frequently stage 2 (69.8%). A significant association (p < 0.001) was found between disease stage and expression of ER (Estrogen Receptors), PR (Progesterone Receptors), and HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2), as well as between patient age and expression of ER, PR, and HER2 receptors (p = 0.02). HER2 and Ki-67 expression were inversely associated with ER and PR. Ki-67 was significantly correlated with age (p = 0.008) and stage (p < 0.001). Nodal metastasis correlated with Ki-67 (p = 0.02) and ER (p = 0.01).