Department of Pathology

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    Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor -2 Overexpression In Patients With Gastric And Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma- A Retrospective Study On Ghanaian Cancer Patients Who Attended Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Larbi, S.D.
    Background: Despite improvement in surgical techniques combined with chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy, the prognosis of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma at the advance stage still remained poor. However, there is mounting evidence of the role of HER-2 expression in patients with these cancers. Aim: To determine the patterns of HER-2 protein expression in patients with gastric or oesophageal adenocarcinoma at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana Method: Retrospectively, records on gastric and oesophageal biopsies received between 2008 and 2012 (KBTH) were reviewed. Ideal tissue blocks were selected for immunohistochemistry analysis. The prevalence of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and their significant association with HER-2 protein over-expression were evaluated. Result: A prevalence of 18.79% gastric adenocarcinoma was observed among gastric biopsies and majority of this cancers occurred in males. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) was over-expressed in 41.4% of the gastric adenocarcinomas and was significantly more common in patients older than 55 years and with intestinal type of adenocarcinoma. Though, Squamous cell carcinoma still remains the commonest cancer (31%) type of the oesophagus, compared to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (8.79%), HER-2 was over-expressed in 42.9% of oesophageal adenocarcinoma which is similar to that of gastric adenocarcinoma (41.4%). Conclusion: Routine testing for HER-2 in gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients can have significant implication on the management or treatments options offered such patients, which may potentially affect their prognosis.
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    Serum Leptin and C - reactive protein Levels in Obese Ghanaians with and Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus At Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra
    (University Of Ghana, 2015-07) Yussif, A.
    The prevalence of obesity is increasing in Ghana. Obesity is associated with increased risk of many chronic diseases especially type 2 diabetes mellitus. Researching into diagnostic markers is very important. Leptin and C-reactive protein have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes related disorders such as obesity. The aim of this study was to compare serum leptin and C-reactive proteins concentration in obese Ghanaians with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eighty (80) obese (BMI > 30 Kg/m2) Ghanaians with age ranging from 30-55 years were recruited for this study. There were grouped into diabetic subjects (cases group) and non-diabetic subjects (controls). Fasting lipid profile, serum leptin, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured by standard methods. Relevant anthropometric indices (BMI, percentage body fat, percentage muscle mass, and visceral fats) and blood pressures were also measured. The case group recruited from the National Diabetic Management and Research Centre and the control group were both 40 each comprised of 15 (33.3%) males and 25 (66.7%) females. The mean age of both case and controls (49.65 ± 5.73 and 47.28 ± 7.82) were matched and there was no significant difference (p = 0.125). Serum leptin and hs-CRP levels in cases (13.84 ± 4.76 ng/ml and 0.18 ± 0.09 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in controls (17.92 ± 5.51 ng/ml and 0.23 ± 0.11 ng/ml). Serum leptin was strongly and positively correlated with percentage body fat (r = 0.561; P = 0.000) and weakly with body mass index (r = 0.300; P = 0.007) in all the subjects. Furthermore, serum leptin showed negative and significant correlation with triglycerides (r = -0.251; P = 0.025) and very low density lipoprotein (r = -0.253; P = 0.024) in both cases and controls. In conclusion, obese non-diabetic subjects had higher levels of serum leptin and this may suggest a possible link between obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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    Prevalence of Antibodies to Human Tlymphotropic Virus Type I Among Blood Donors at the 37th Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
    (University of Ghana, 2004-06) Narter-Olaga, E.G.; Adjei, A.A.,; Wiredu, E.K.; Tettey, Y.; Gyasi, R. K.; Wadhwani, J. M.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences Department of Pathology
    Several infectious diseases have been found to be associated with transfusion o f whole blood or blood components. Reports from studies conducted in many African countries indicate a high incidence of blood-borne pathogens such as human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) among healthy blood donors. Experimental data indicate that a r. ajor route for transmission o f the HTLV-I is through blood transfusion. The prevalence o f HTLV-I antibodies among blood donors in Ghana is not well documented. Population surveys cannot be conducted for financial reasons and therefore sentinel studies are the only means for providing information on the transmissions of infections such as HTLV-I, as well as monitoring the changes over time. The study was therefore undertaken to determine the prevalence o f HTLV-I antibodies among blood donors, between the months of January to April 2004 at the 37th Military Hospital Blood Transfusion Service, Accra, Ghana. A combination o f particle agglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the prevalence and distribution of antibodies to HTLV-I. A structured questionnaire was also administered to the blood donors after an informed oral and written consent was taken. This involved questions on personal information, knowledge about HTLV-I transfusion, sexual behaviour, lifestyle and histories o f transfusion-transmitted diseases. Beginning from January to April 2004, blood samples were collected from blood donors, serum separated and analysed for the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I. A total o f 1225 samples (1158 males and 67 females) were analysed. Their ages ranged from 20-69 years; with majority (75.5%; 925/1225) of the blood donors studied between the 30-^9 years age group. Ofth e 1225 samples tested, 1196 were negative and 29 were positive lor HTLV-I antibodies giving a prevalence rate of 2.4%. Two females were positive out o f 67 (2.9%) and 27 males were positive out o f 1158 (2.3%) male donors. Majority of the donors were married (914; 74.6%) and the rest (311; 25.4%) were not married. Of the married donors, 21 were positive for HTLV-I antibodies, giving a prevalence rate o f 2.3% among married donor. Most of
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    Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Risk Factors Among Truck Drivers in Tema, Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2014-07) Boahemaa- Atta, P.; Ofori, M.; Asare-Anane, H.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences , School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences , Department of Pathology
    Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis infections have now spread to all parts of the world, and the rate of infection is found to be high in the cities with high number of mobile populations. One of such mobile populations is long distance truck drivers. Although studies from Asia, Europe, USA, and elsewhere have documented high prevalence of HBV, HIV and syphilis infections among truck drivers (long and short distance), such data are sparse from Africa. To my knowledge there is no such data from Ghana. This study investigates the prevalence of HIV, HBV, syphilis and the risk factors among truck drivers using the seaport at Tema. The study is a cross sectional study carried out between the months of March, 2013 and June, 2013 among truck drivers at Tema seaport. All the 106 consenting participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and risk factor profile for the infections under investigation. Blood samples from consenting participants were tested at the Public Health Reference Laboratory, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana for the presence of antibodies to HIV-1 and 2, using Genscreen™ ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA). Antibodies to syphilis was tested using [T. pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) test; Serodia Fujirebio]. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested using Roche COBAS e411 analyzer with elecsys HBsAg II quant test (Roche Diagnostics, Germany). A total of 1250 truck drivers (Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian residents) at the Tema port were eligible for the study, however 106 (8.4%) of the eligible took part in the study. None of the foreign citizens (non-Ghanaian residents) took part in the study. The mean age of the participants was 40.56 ± 11.56 years (range: 18–74 years). For the 106 participants tested, HIV sero- prevalence was 0.98% (1 out of 106), 14.2% (15 out of 106) tested seropositive for HBsAg and reactive syphilis serology was noted in 3.8% (4 out of 106) of the participants. On multivariant analysis, the independent determinants for HBV infection were being a long distance driver [Odds Ratio (OR): 6.88; 95% CI 0.86-52.89], having multiple sexual partners (OR: 6.36; 95% CI 1.35 - 29.79) and previous visit to commercial sex worker (OR: 6.85; 95% CI: 0.89-52.89). Interestingly, knowledge of HIV, HBV and syphilis infections and preventive measures were high among the truck drivers.The data indicates a low HIV prevalence among truck drivers in Ghana, however the high prevalence of HBV and syphilis coupled with their risky behaviour suggest an increase potential risk of HIV in the truck driving population in Ghana.
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    Prevalence of Antibodies to Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I among Blood Donors at the 37TH Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
    (University of Ghana, 2004-06) Narter-Olaga, G.E.; Wiredu, E.K.; Tettey, Y.; Gyasi, R.K.; Wadhwani, J.M.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Chemical Pathology
    Several infectious diseases have been found to be associated with transfusion of whole blood or blood components. Reports from studies conducted in many African countries indicate a high incidence of blood-borne pathogens such as human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) among healthy blood donors. Experimental data indicate that a major route for transmission of the HTLV-I is through blood transfusion. The prevalence of HTLV-I antibodies among blood donors in Ghana is not well documented. Population surveys cannot be conducted for financial reasons and therefore sentinel studies are the only means for providing information on the transmissions of infections such as HTLV-I, as well as monitoring the changes over time. The study was therefore undertaken to determine the prevalence of HTLV-I antibodies among blood donors, between the months of January to April 2004 at the 37th Military Hospital Blood Transfusion Service, Accra, Ghana. A combination of particle agglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the prevalence and distribution of antibodies to HTLV-I. A structured questionnaire was also administered to the blood donors after an informed oral and written consent was taken. This involved questions on personal information, knowledge about HTLV-I transfusion, sexual behaviour, lifestyle and histories of transfusion-transmitted diseases. Beginning from January to April 2004, blood samples were collected from blood donors, serum separated and analysed for the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I. A total of 1225 samples (1158 males and 67 females) were analysed. Their ages ranged from 20-69 years; with majority (75.5%; 925/1225) of the blood donors studied between the 30-39 years age group. Of the 1225 samples tested, 1196 were negative and 29 were positive for HTLV-I antibodies giving a prevalence rate of 2.4%. Two females were positive out of 67 (2.9%) and 27 males were positive out of 1158 (2.3%) male donors. Majority of the donors were married (914; 74.6%) and the rest (311; 25.4%) were not married. Of the married donors, 21 were positive for HTLV-I antibodies, giving a prevalence rate of 2.3% among married donor. Most of the positive male donors were married with one wife (19; 65.5%), and one positive case had two wives (3.4%). Seroprevalence increased with marital status, suggesting marital status as the primary mode of transmission rather than number of wives. There was no association of tattoo marks with HTLV-I infection (X2 = 1.72; or =2.07; 95% CI =0.16- 1.46). Knowledge about HTLV-I infection among blood donors was found to be very poor. Only 10 (0.82%) said they had heard of HTLV-I infection whilst 1215 (99.18%) had never heard about it. The results reported herein, suggest that HTLV-I is prevalent among healthy blood donors at the 37th Military Hospital Blood Transfusion Centre (MHBTC); and that there is the need for screening blood honors for circulating antibodies to HTLV-I infection. However, the economic burden/ benefit must also be looked at before including HTLV-I in the screening protocol.
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    The Prevalence of Cervico-Vaginal Human Papilloma Virus in Women Visiting the Gynaecological Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
    (University of Ghana, 2003-06) Domfeh, B.A.; Wiredu, E.K.; Adjer, A.A.; Tettey, Y.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Pathology
    Human Papilloma virus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various tumours and clinical entities. HPV infections are acquired through skin abrasions, sexual intercourse and during passage through an infected birth canal. It is clearly known that cervical HPV infection is sexually transmitted. HPV prevalence is high in young, sexually active women with a peak incidence in the age group 15-25 years. In elderly women, HPV prevalence shows a decline, and this is probably due to fewer sexual partners as well as immunity acquired as a result of previous infections. The prevalence is also directly related to the number of sexual partners, and any recent change in sexual partners. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and an estimated 371,000 cases are diagnosed annually worldwide. It has an estimated mortality of 231,000 cases annually with more than 80% occurring in developing countries particularly tropical Africa. To our knowledge, in Ghana, there is no current available data on the prevalence of HPV infection. The current research into vaccine development gives an urgent need to determine the prevalence of HPV infections and the types that infect Ghanaian women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection in Ghanaian women visiting the Gynaecological department of the Korle-Bu teaching hospital. The study was conducted at the Departments of Pathology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Microbiology of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana between April and December 2002. The first 75 patients who visited the clinic and met the inclusion criteria of the study were recruited into the study. Following informed consent, a structured questionnaire on personal information, sexual behavior, lifestyle and knowledge about cervical cancer were completed by the patients .On completion of the questionnaire, a gynaecological examination was performed by a consultant gynaecologist and cervical scrapes obtained from the patients studied. These samples were analysed in the Microbiology Department by PCR using the GP5+/GP6+ consensus primers for HPV DNA. Eight (10.7%) of patients studied were HPV positive. Women between the ages of 20-39 years who belong to the most sexually active age groups were found to have an HPV prevalence rate of 75%. Fifty (66.7%) of all patients studied had had their first sexual intercourse by the age 19 years and 5 of the HPV positive patients had their sexual debut by this age. Twenty eight (37.3%) had had 2 sexual partners in their lifetime and 5 of them were HPV positive. Contraceptive use was low in this study. Fifty-six (74.7%) used no form of contraception and 6 of them were HPV positive. Forty-two (56%) had heard of cervical cancer whilst 33 (44%) had never heard about it. Sixty-two (82.7%) had never heard of a cervical smear and only 6 (8%) had had one done before. Even though majority of study patients had heard of cervical cancer, knowledge on its’ causes, prevention and the Pap smear test were poor. Education on the risks of early sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partners will go a long way to reduce risks in acquiring HPV infection. Also, the knowledge of cervical cancer causes and prevention leaves much to be desired, and as such there is a need for well-organized cervical screening programmes.
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    The Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections among Liver Cirrhosis Patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra-Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2003-07) Aboagye, B.; Wiredu, E.K.; Gyasi, R.K.; Tettey, Y.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Pathology
    Cirrhosis of the liver is an endstage chronic liver disease which is generally irreversible. About 75% of patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis have progressive disease despite supportive therapy and die within one to five years from serious complications such as variceal haemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy or superimposed hepatocellular carcinoma. Records from the Pathology Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra-Ghana indicates that cirrhosis is the commonest liver disease leading to death through serious complications. Most studies done in other countries have indicated an association between liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B and C infections, especially, where these viruses are endemic. In Ghana Hepatitis B virus infection is endemic with seroprevalence rate ranging from 6.7-15.6%. That of hepatitis C ranges between 2.8% and 5.4%. Although liver cirrhosis is the commonest liver disease causing death at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the role of hepatitis B and C virus infections have not been well established in Ghana. The study was therefore carried out to determine the seroprevalence and the roles of hepatitis B and C virus among liver cirrhosis patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. To achieve the above objectives, a nested case-control study design was used. Seventy consenting patients (cases) clinically diagnosed with ultrasound support as liver cirrhosis were interviewed. To test the validity of the criteria used in diagnosing cirrhosis, autopsies were done on all the cases that died during the study period. For each case interviewed four consenting patients age (±5 yrs) and sex-matched who were on admission with non-hepatic disease and not jaundiced were chosen as controls. About 10ml of blood was taken from each subject and the serum separated into well labelled micro tubes for storage at -70°C till analysis. Once thawed, samples were analysed form hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HCV by sensitive ELIZA test-kits. The results were analysed statistically using EPI-INFO 2000 at a 5% significance level. Of the 70 cases 18 died and autopsy done on all confirmed the diagnosis of cirrhosis morphologically indicating that the criteria used in the diagnosis of cirrhosis were together sensitive and specific. Thirty, out of the 70 cases studied were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen giving a prevalence rate of 42.8%. The rate among controls was 7.5% (21 out of 280 controls). Hepatitis B virus infection was significantly associated with cirrhosis (π2 = 56.078, P= 0.000). The odds ratio obtained 9.25 with 95% CI = 4.83-17.7, indicates that the risk of developing cirrhosis is about 9 fold increased in those with Hepatitis B infections than those without. The seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among liver cirrhosis patients was 7.1% (5 out of 70) and 3.6% (10 out of 280) among the controls. An odds ratio of 2.07 (95% CI=0.159-1.462) obtained shows that the chances of a chronic hepatitis C virus patient developing cirrhosis of the liver is about twice that of those without hepatitis C and this was not statistically significant (π21.717, P=0.189). Blood transfusion was found to be a significant means of transmitting Hepatitis B virus infection (P=0.043) but not a significant means of transmitting hepatitis C virus infection (P=0.33.). In conclusion, it is recommended that blood screening against these viruses must continue and that other important modes of transmitting both hepatitis B and C viruses be further investigated to enable appropriate preventive measures to be applied. Immunization against hepatitis B Virus infection must be encouraged not only for children but among the general population especially groups which are at risk.
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    Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Ngissah, P.; Asare-Anane, H.; Amanquah, S.D.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Pathology
    An imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant scavenging has been implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Reports indicate that several complications of diabetes mellitus result from increased activity of free radicals and accumulation of lipid peroxidation products leading to oxidative stress. The study was aimed at evaluating lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status along with lipid profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and age- matched healthy subjects. One hundred subjects of type 2 diabetes mellitus without any complications (mean age; 50.25± 5.57 years) and one hundred healthy subjects (mean age; 48.35 ± 6.26 years) were included in this study. Body Mass Index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood sample was collected for the analysis of fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, serum malondialdehyde, and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and serum lipid profile in both the groups. Compared with control subjects, diabetic subjects had significantly higher Total cholesterol (6.76±1.11 vs 0.94±0.23 mmol/L), triglyceride (1.29±0.34 vs 0.94±0.23 mmol/L), LDL-cholesterol (3.96 ± 1.47 vs 1.46±0.69 mmol/L), serum malondialdehyde significantly increased (4.40±1.96 vs 2.75±1.05 μM) whereas, HDL- cholesterol (1.74±0.46 vs1.46±0.69 mmol/L), and activities of superoxide dismutase (3.80± 1.64 vs 10.39±2.55 U/Ml) and Glutathione peroxidase (129.96±16.75 U/L) were significantly reduced in DM type-2 patients as compared to controls (p ˂ 0.05). BMI was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic subjects compared to healthy control subjects (p ˂ 0.05). Oxidative stress is raised in type 2 DM patients. The risk factors in the development of complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus include increased oxidative stress, deranged lipid profile and decreased antioxidant status of patients. Future studies need to focus on gathering large sample sizes to clarify the relationship between antioxidants depletion and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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    Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor -2 Overexpression in Patients with Gastric and Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma - A Retrospective Study on Ghanaian Cancer Patients who attended Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Simpong, D.L.; Gyasi, R.K.; Asmah, R.H.
    Background: Despite improvement in surgical techniques combined with chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy, the prognosis of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma at the advance stage still remained poor. However, there is mounting evidence of the role of HER-2 expression in patients with these cancers. Aim: To determine the patterns of HER-2 protein expression in patients with gastric or oesophageal adenocarcinoma at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana Method: Retrospectively, records on gastric and oesophageal biopsies received between 2008 and 2012 (KBTH) were reviewed. Ideal tissue blocks were selected for immunohistochemistry analysis. The prevalence of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and their significant association with HER-2 protein over-expression were evaluated. Result: A prevalence of 18.79% gastric adenocarcinoma was observed among gastric biopsies and majority of this cancers occurred in males. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) was over-expressed in 41.4% of the gastric adenocarcinomas and was significantly more common in patients older than 55 years and with intestinal type of adenocarcinoma. Though, Squamous cell carcinoma still remains the commonest cancer (31%) type of the oesophagus, compared to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (8.79%), HER-2 was over-expressed in 42.9% of oesophageal adenocarcinoma which is similar to that of gastric adenocarcinoma (41.4%). Conclusion: Routine testing for HER-2 in gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients can have significant implication on the management or treatments options offered such patients, which may potentially affect their prognosis.
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    Comparison of Oestrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and Human Epiderman Growth Factor Receptor-2 Expression in Primary Breast Cancer and Lymph Node Metastasis at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Mawuli, B.A.; Tettey, Y.; Adjei, A.A.
    Introduction: Determination of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2/neu) has become part of the diagnostic tests for breast cancer. Results of ER and PR are used to select breast cancer patients who are most likely to respond to hormonal therapy whereas Her-2/neu results are used to select patients with invasive breast cancer most likely to respond to targeted therapy. Immunohistochemical (IHC) determination of ER, PR and HER-2/neu is usually done on the primary breast cancer tissue. Re-evaluation of ER, PR and HER-2/neu on metastatic breast tumour is sometimes done when metastasis occurs. The axillary lymph nodes are the most common site of metastasis of breast cancer. Characteristics of primary breast cancer may change when metastasis occurs. This may affect the expression of proteins including ER, PR and HER-2/neu. The choice of the appropriate sample for the IHC determination of ER, PR and HER-2/neu when metastasis occurs may therefore be clinically relevant. Aim: The aim of this research was to compare the expression of ER, PR and the over- expression of HER- 2/neu between primary breast cancer and metastatic deposits in corresponding lymph nodes in women with breast cancer at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methodology: The study involved 54 archived tissue blocks of primary breast cancer tissue and corresponding metastatic deposits in lymph nodes of women with invasive breast cancer. The cases were submitted to the Pathology Department of The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital between January and December 2009. Sections were taken from the tissue blocks and stained immunohistochemically with antibodies for ER, PR and HER- 2/neu. Stained sections were reported as either positive or negative according to the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP). Results: The mean age ± SD of women diagnosed with breast cancer with lymph node metastases was 49.89 ± 10.70 years with a median age of 51 years. The percentage of retrieved axillary lymph nodes that were involved with breast cancer cells ranged from 8% to 100%. The mean percentage of lymph nodes retrieved from the axilla was 57.87 with a median of 62.71 and a range of 92. About 22% (12 out of 54) of the cases had 100% lymph nodes involved with breast cancer cells and 3.7% (2 out of 54) had 8% of retrieved lymph nodes involved with breast cancer cells. About 20% (11 out of 54) had grade I, 42.6% (23 out of 54) had grade II, and 37% (20 out of 54) had grade III breast tumours respectively. In the primary breast cancer tumour, 31.5% (17 out of 54) of the cases were ER positive, 68.5% (37 out of 54) were ER negative, 25.9% (14 out of 54) were PR positive and 74.1% (40 out of 54) were PR negative. HER-2/neu was positive in 25.9% (14 out of 54) and negative in 74.1% (40 out of 54) of the cases. In the corresponding lymph nodes, 33.3% (18 out of 54) were ER positive, 66.7% (36 out of 54) were ER negative, 29.6% (16 out of 54) were PR positive, and 70.4% (38 out of 54) were PR negative. HER-2/neu was positive in 29.6% (16 out of 54) and negative in 70.4% (38 out of 54) of the cases. There was 94.4% and 92.5% concordance for ER and PR respectively between primary tumour and lymph nodes. The concordance rate for HER-2/neu was 96.3%. There was no statistical difference (p> 0.05) in ER, PR and HER- 2/neu between primary breast cancer and metastatic deposits in lymph nodes. Conclusion: There were minor changes in the expression of ER, PR and HER-2/neu between primary breast tumour and metastatic deposits in lymph nodes.