Estrogen and progesterone receptors in ovarian neoplasms

• Published in: Gynecologic oncology Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 299 - 304
• Main Authors: Ford, Larry C., Berek, Jonathan S., Lagasse, Leo D., Hacker, Neville F., Heins, Yvonne, Esmailian, Fardad, Leuchter, Ronald S., DeLange, Robert J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.1983
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms - analysis; Ovarian Neoplasms - therapy; Receptors, Estrogen - analysis; Receptors, Progesterone - analysis
• ISSN: 0090-8258; 1095-6859
• DOI: 10.1016/0090-8258(83)90047-1

The cytoplasmic receptors for 17β-estradiol (ER) and progesterone (PR) were measured in 39 malignant and 15 benign ovarian neoplasms. All eight endometroid carcinomas had positive ER sites, one-half contained PR. The number of ER binding sites decreased as tumor grade increased. Conversely, none of the 11 mucinous tumors contained either ER or PR receptors. One-half of the well-differentiated serous tumors had ER (57 ± 23 fmole/ mg protein) while none of the poorly differentiated tumors had measurable binding. In serous carcinomas, PR was only detected in well-differentiated lesions (447 ± 240 fmole/ mg protein). Only one of 15 benign neoplasms contained ER and PR receptors. Correlation of tumor grade and type may help to plan hormonal therapies in advanced ovarian malignancies.