IHC Marker - ER/PR Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - ER/PR Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | ER/PR Test, Oestrogen Receptor/Progesterone Receptor Test, Hormone Receptor Status Test |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No — this is a tissue-based test; no dietary preparation is needed |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Primarily women with suspected or confirmed breast cancer; also used in endometrial cancer |
| Price | Starting at ₹3,840 |
What is an IHC Marker - ER/PR Test?
The IHC marker - ER/PR test is a laboratory test that checks whether cancer cells carry oestrogen and progesterone receptors. These receptors are proteins found on or inside cancer cells that can respond to hormones and influence how the tumour grows. The test is performed on a tissue sample using a technique called immunohistochemistry (IHC), which uses specially designed antibodies to detect these proteins under a microscope. It is also known as the ER/PR test or the Hormone Receptor Status Test.
What Does an IHC Marker - ER/PR Test Measure?
The ER/PR test procedure analyses two key receptor proteins in tumour tissue. The table below explains what each marker indicates.
| Marker | What It Detects |
|---|---|
| Oestrogen Receptor (ER) | Whether cancer cells carry proteins that the hormone oestrogen can bind to, which may drive cell growth |
| Progesterone Receptor (PR) | Whether cancer cells carry proteins that progesterone can attach to, similarly influencing tumour behaviour |
| Allred Score | A combined score (0 to 8) that adds the proportion of stained cells to the staining intensity; scores of 3 to 8 are considered positive |
Results are reported as a percentage of tumour cells showing positive staining, along with an overall positive or negative classification.
Why is an IHC Marker - ER/PR Test Done?
Doctors order this test to understand the nature of a tumour and plan the most suitable course of care. Here is a closer look at when and why it is used.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request this test after noticing one or more of the following:
- A palpable lump or mass in the breast
- Unusual nipple discharge
- Changes in the skin of the breast, such as dimpling or redness
- An abnormal finding on a mammogram or breast scan
- Suspected return of breast cancer after previous treatment
- Unexplained weight loss alongside other breast-related concerns
- Bone pain in cases where cancer may have spread
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test is used in the assessment and management of several conditions:
- Breast cancer — to determine hormone receptor status and guide treatment decisions
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer — where ER and PR positivity carry prognostic significance
- Meningioma — a type of brain tumour where hormone receptor testing may be relevant
- Metastatic or recurrent breast cancer — to reassess receptor status, as it can change over time
IHC Marker - ER/PR Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
In patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, the ER/PR test may be repeated because tumour receptor status can shift over time. Retesting helps clinicians understand how a cancer is behaving and whether the current treatment approach remains appropriate. This is supported by established oncology guidelines and is a standard part of managing advanced breast cancer.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
This test requires a tissue sample rather than a blood or urine sample, so the preparation steps differ from routine tests.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. Because it is performed on tissue obtained during a biopsy, there are no dietary restrictions beforehand. Your doctor will give you separate instructions for the biopsy procedure itself.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before submitting your sample:
- Bring a detailed clinical history report, including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant medical background, as this is required for the test
- Carry your doctor's referral letter, which should clearly note the biopsy site
- Bring any existing histopathology reports if you are submitting a previously prepared paraffin block
- Include relevant imaging reports, such as CT scans, MRI, or PET scans, if available
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how the sample is collected and processed for the ER/PR test procedure:
- A tissue sample is obtained by your doctor through a biopsy. This may involve a fine needle to withdraw cells, or a slightly wider core needle to collect a small tissue sample.
- The collected tissue is placed in a formalin solution to preserve it, then embedded in a paraffin wax block to create what is called an FFPE block.
- The block is transported to a Lupin Diagnostics laboratory and stored under refrigeration (2 to 8°C) until processing.
- Very thin slices of the tissue block are cut using a precision instrument called a microtome.
- These tissue sections are treated with antibodies specific to ER and PR proteins. The antibodies attach to the target receptors and are then made visible using a chemical marker.
- A pathologist examines the stained slides under a microscope and records the percentage of cells that test positive, along with staining intensity.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence how reliably the tissue stains and how clearly the results can be interpreted:
- Delay between tissue removal and placement in formalin can reduce staining accuracy
- Fixation time outside the recommended window of 6 to 72 hours (whether too short or too long) may affect results
- Prolonged formalin fixation can create chemical bonds between proteins, reducing the detection of specific markers
- Tissue damaged by necrosis (cell death) or that has been poorly preserved may show uneven or inconsistent staining
Understanding Your IHC Marker - ER/PR Test Results
Unlike routine blood tests, the ER/PR test does not produce results measured against a single "normal" range. Instead, your pathologist reports whether the tumour cells are receptor-positive or receptor-negative. The table below summarises how results are classified.
| Parameter | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| ER | 1% or more of tumour cell nuclei stain positive | Fewer than 1% of nuclei stain positive |
| ER Low Positive | 1% to 10% of cells staining — a separate category with limited data on treatment benefit | Not applicable |
| PR | 1% or more of tumour cell nuclei stain positive | Fewer than 1% of nuclei stain positive |
| Allred Score | 3 to 8 (positive) | 0 or 2 (negative) |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Tissue quality and preparation can directly affect how results appear. If tissue was left too long before being placed in formalin, or if fixation time was outside the recommended range, markers may not stain reliably, and results may be harder to interpret. Necrotic or poorly preserved tissue samples can also show inconsistent staining patterns.
In recurrent or metastatic cancer, receptor status can change compared to the original tumour. Studies suggest that in approximately 15% to 20% of cases, the receptor status of a new lesion may differ from the initial diagnosis. This is why retesting at recurrence is often recommended.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Because this is a cancer diagnostic test, the concept of "healthy levels" does not apply in the usual sense. The following general points may be useful:
- Follow your oncologist's guidance on treatment and follow-up based on your receptor status
- Attend all scheduled appointments, especially if you are undergoing hormone therapy
- Communicate openly with your healthcare team if you notice any new or changing symptoms
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - ER/PR Test Price
The ER/PR test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹3,840. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre for sample submission, as home collection is not available for tissue-based tests of this kind.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 3840 |
| CHENNAI | 3840 |
| HYDERABAD | 3840 |
| KOLKATA | 3840 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 3840 |
| PUNE | 3840 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
The steps below explain how to arrange your ER/PR test online booking or in-person submission:
- Select the IHC marker - ER/PR test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time with your tissue block, clinical history, and doctor's referral.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker - ER/PR test checks whether breast cancer cells carry oestrogen and progesterone receptors. The results help doctors understand the nature of the tumour and decide whether hormone-based treatment may be appropriate. It is a standard part of breast cancer workup.
The test is performed on a tissue sample obtained during a biopsy, which is a procedure carried out by a doctor in a clinical or surgical setting. The tissue is then fixed in formalin and processed into a paraffin block before being sent to the laboratory. No blood draw or urine sample is involved.
A positive result means that the tumour cells carry oestrogen and/or progesterone receptors. This finding can indicate that the cancer may respond to hormone-blocking treatments. Your oncologist will explain what this means for your specific situation.
No. The ER/PR test home collection option is not available because the test requires a tissue sample obtained through a biopsy procedure. Biopsies must be performed in a medical setting. The processed tissue block is then submitted to the laboratory for analysis.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is typically available within 3 days of the laboratory receiving the sample. In some settings, results may take up to 10 working days, depending on the complexity of the case.
No. While the ER/PR test is most commonly associated with breast cancer, it also has diagnostic and prognostic value in endometrial (uterine) cancer. ER and PR positivity in endometrial cancer is considered a favourable prognostic sign. It may also be relevant in certain other tumour types.
The Allred score is a standardised system used to report ER and PR staining results. It combines two separate scores: one for the proportion of cells staining positive (0 to 5) and one for staining intensity (0 to 3). These are added together to give a final score between 0 and 8. Scores of 3 to 8 are reported as positive.
IHC Marker - ER/PR Test: Booking, Price, and Results
