Oncol Lett
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The present study aimed to determine the association between levels of the gender hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P) and prolactin (PRL), and two breast cancer molecular markers, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) and Ki67, in post-menopausal patients with breast cancer. A retrospective study of the serum hormone levels of FSH, LH, P and PRL and the expression status of Her-2 and Ki67 was performed using 187 post-menopausal females with breast cancer. Her-2+ breast cancer patients exhibited higher serum FSH levels compared with Her-2- patients (69.47±3.219 vs. 58.56±1.516 IU/l). ⋯ In conclusion, a higher serum FSH level was identified in Her-2+ post-menopausal patients with breast cancer. Higher serum FSH and LH levels were also observed in breast cancer patients with high Ki67 expression. FSH and LH may function in the progression of breast cancer.