The concentration of prolactin in serum of women with ductal breast cancers

Introduction: Inconclusive reports concerning the concentration of prolactin in serum of women with breast cancer inspired to deal with this problem.
Objectives: Main aim of the study was the estimation of the prolactin concentration in serum in women suffering from breast cancer in comparison to healthy women.
Material and methods: The study included 155 women in the age from 38 to 60 years divided into two groups: control and study. The first (control) group comprises 60 healthy women (mean age 50.6±6.3 y.) The second (study) group consisted of 95 women (mean age 51.9±1.7 y.) with ductal mainly invasive breast cancers. There were no statistical differences in the age between groups. In this report the study group was characterized in detail. In the serum were carried out the following biochemical assays: the concentrations of gonadotropin (FSH, LH), estrogens (estron, estradiol), progesterone and prolactin in basal condition and after metoclopramide test. The progesterone/estradiol index was calculated, using Sitruk-Ware pattern. The percentage increases of prolactin after metoclopramide – test was established.
Results: In women with ductal breast cancer the absolute (P<0.05) and relative (P<0.05) values of hyperestrogenism in serum, in comparison to the control group, were found. The levels of prolactin in serum were higher in basal conditions (P<0.05) and also after metoclopramide – test’s (P<0.05) then in the control group of healthy women. Mean values of prolactin in serum of women suffering from breast cancer were slightly above the upper norm range.
Conclusions:
1. In women with ductal breast cancer in serum mean values of prolactin were slightly elevated above upper range of norm in basal conditions and after metoclopramide – test. In these women absolute and relative hyperestrogenism was shown.
2. Obtained results suggest higher hypophysis reserve of prolactin and greater reactivity on stresogenic factors in women with breast cancer than in normal subjects.
3. The observed differences in prolactin concentration in serum of women with ductal breast cancer, than in healthy women could be also connected with higher tissues and organs (i. e. among others breast gland) secretion of prolactin and higher releasing prolactin into blood circulation, in comparison to healthy subjects.
4. The hyperprolactinemia and hyperestrogenism in women in connection with clinical state indicated them to risk group, could be considered as index of higher risk factor of breast gland.