IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | PR IHC Test, Progesterone Receptor IHC Test, PR Immunohistochemistry Test, Progesterone Receptor Immunostain Test |
| Sample Type | Tissue biopsy (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded/FFPE block) |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Primarily females with suspected or confirmed breast cancer; also males with breast cancer and patients with gynaecological cancers |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test?
The IHC marker- PR (progesterone receptor) test checks whether cancer cells carry progesterone receptors — proteins that the hormone progesterone can attach to. It is performed using a laboratory technique called immunohistochemistry (IHC), which stains tumour tissue to reveal receptor presence. Doctors most commonly request this test after a breast cancer diagnosis to guide treatment decisions. The test is also known as the PR IHC test, progesterone receptor IHC test, PR immunohistochemistry test, or progesterone receptor immunostain test.
What Does an IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test Measure?
The IHC marker- PR (progesterone receptor) test examines a tumour tissue sample and measures two key parameters:
| Parameter | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| PR Expression (%) | The percentage of tumour cell nuclei that stain positive for progesterone receptors |
| Allred Score (0 to 8) | A combined score of how many cells stain positive (proportion score) and how strongly they stain (intensity score) |
The Allred score uses two sub-scores. The proportion score runs from 0 (no staining) to 5 (more than 66.6% of cells staining). The intensity score runs from 0 (none) to 3 (strong staining). Adding these two scores gives the final Allred score.
Why is an IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test Done?
This test is ordered when a doctor needs to understand the nature of a tumour and decide the most appropriate course of management.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several findings typically prompt a doctor to request this test. These include:
- A new or growing lump in the breast
- Abnormal results on a mammogram or breast scan
- Unusual nipple discharge
- Skin changes on the breast, such as redness or dimpling
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit
- Post-surgical tissue characterisation after tumour removal
- Suspected spread (metastasis) of a previously diagnosed cancer
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The IHC marker- PR (progesterone receptor) test helps identify and classify several conditions. These include:
- Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, where the tumour relies on progesterone to grow
- Gynaecological cancers, including endometrial carcinoma
- Meningioma (a type of brain tumour), which can also express progesterone receptors
- Neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas, which show notably high rates of PR positivity
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed before the biopsy or sample collection. However, a few practical steps can help the process go smoothly.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required for this test. There are no dietary restrictions before or after sample collection. However, always follow any specific instructions provided by your doctor for the biopsy procedure.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps help ensure the sample is handled correctly and the results are accurate.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Bring any earlier histopathology reports or tissue blocks if this test is being requested as a follow-up
- Inform your doctor of all medications or supplements you are currently taking
Step-by-Step Procedure
The IHC marker- PR test procedure involves tissue collection followed by laboratory analysis. Here is what typically happens:
- A doctor collects a tissue sample either during surgical tumour removal (lumpectomy) or via a core needle biopsy.
- The tissue is placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin to preserve it, then processed and embedded in paraffin wax to create an FFPE tissue block.
- The block is sent to the laboratory, where thin sections are cut, placed on slides, and treated to unmask the receptor proteins within the tissue.
- The slides are treated with anti-progesterone receptor antibodies, which bind to PR-positive cells and produce a visible brown stain under the microscope.
- A pathologist examines the stained slides, counts the percentage of positively stained tumour cell nuclei, and assigns an Allred score.
- A pathology report is prepared with the findings and sent to your doctor within the turnaround time.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of the IHC marker- PR (progesterone receptor) test result:
- Delay between tissue removal and fixation (cold ischaemia time) can affect receptor preservation
- Under-fixation or over-fixation of the tissue sample may produce inaccurate staining
- Prior hormonal therapy or chemotherapy can alter receptor expression in tumour cells
- Decalcified specimens may show altered staining patterns
- Use of non-validated antibodies or inadequate positive and negative controls in the laboratory
Understanding Your IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test Results
Your pathologist will report results as a percentage of reactive cells along with an Allred score. Both help your doctor assess prognosis and plan treatment. The table below shows general reference ranges for interpretation:
| Parameter | Negative | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| PR Expression | Less than 1% of tumour cell nuclei stain positive | 1% or more of tumour cell nuclei stain positive |
| Allred Score | 0 or 2 | 3 to 8 |
A positive result indicates the tumour has progesterone receptors and is more likely to respond to endocrine (hormonal) therapy. A negative result suggests the tumour does not rely significantly on progesterone to grow, and alternative treatment strategies may be considered based on other markers.
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
Certain situations may affect how results are read or interpreted:
Improper tissue fixation, whether too short or too long, can cause false-negative or false-positive staining. If the tissue was not placed in formalin within one hour of collection or was not fixed for the recommended 6 to 72 hours, results may not be reliable.
Previous treatment with hormonal therapy or chemotherapy can also reduce PR expression, which means results at recurrence may differ from those at initial diagnosis.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
This test measures receptor status in tumour tissue rather than a level that can be adjusted through lifestyle. The following general tips support overall wellbeing during and after cancer care:
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Stay physically active at a level approved by your treating doctor
- Attend all follow-up appointments and adhere to your oncologist's recommended care plan
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test Price
The IHC marker- PR test cost starts at ₹1,920 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a hospital or submission of a previously collected tissue block at the Lupin Diagnostics Centre; home collection is not available for this test. The table below shows indicative prices:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for IHC marker- PR test online booking:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your tissue block or biopsy sample.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker- PR (progesterone receptor) test determines whether cancer cells carry progesterone receptors. This information helps doctors decide if hormonal therapy is a suitable treatment option and gives an indication of how the cancer may behave over time.
The sample is not a blood or urine sample. It is a tissue sample collected either during surgical tumour removal or through a core needle biopsy. The tissue is preserved in formalin and processed in the laboratory as an FFPE block.
A positive result means at least 1% of the tumour cells have progesterone receptors. These cancers are generally more likely to respond to endocrine therapy and tend to have a better overall prognosis compared to receptor-negative tumours.
A negative result means fewer than 1% of tumour cells show progesterone receptors. This indicates the tumour is less likely to respond to hormonal therapy. Treatment decisions would then depend on other markers, such as oestrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 status.
PR testing is most often performed as part of a broader biomarker panel that includes oestrogen receptor (ER), HER2, and Ki-67. Together, these markers give a fuller picture of tumour behaviour and help guide treatment planning.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is typically ready within 3 days. The test results are delivered directly via email or WhatsApp.
Yes, clinical history is required for this test. When submitting a tissue block, bring a detailed account of your symptoms, any prior biopsy or histopathology reports, and information about previous treatments, as these details help the pathologist interpret the staining accurately.
IHC Marker- PR (Progesterone Receptor) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
