Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
10:35

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer

Published on: April 17, 2012

Hormonal therapy in gynecological sarcomas

Eirini Thanopoulou1, Ian Judson

  • 1Sarcoma Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK.

Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|August 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Hormonal therapies show promise for rare uterine sarcomas expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors. This review critically appraises current data and suggests future research directions for endocrine treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Gynecological sarcomas are rare uterine malignancies (3-5% of cases).
  • Endometrial stromal sarcomas and some uterine leiomyosarcomas express estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR).
  • Hormonal treatments offer targeted therapy with a tolerable side effect profile for prolonged use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review existing data on hormonal manipulation in uterine sarcomas.
  • To provide recommendations for endocrine treatments in specific settings.
  • To suggest future research targets and medications for ER/PgR-positive uterine sarcomas.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies on hormonal manipulation in uterine sarcomas.
  • Critical appraisal of retrospective studies and case reports.
  • Analysis of data on ER/PgR expression and treatment response.

Main Results:

  • Hormonal treatments have a well-studied role in endometrial stromal sarcomas due to frequent ER/PgR positivity.
  • Emerging evidence supports hormonal manipulation in ER/PgR-positive uterine leiomyosarcomas.
  • Treatment recommendations are often based on limited data owing to rarity and heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • Hormonal manipulation is a viable therapeutic strategy for specific subtypes of uterine sarcomas.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal endocrine treatments and identify new therapeutic targets.
  • Personalized endocrine therapy based on receptor status may improve outcomes for uterine sarcoma patients.

More Related Videos

An Orthotopic Endometrial Cancer Model with Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy Made From In Vivo Propagated and Cultured VX2 Cells09:48

An Orthotopic Endometrial Cancer Model with Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy Made From In Vivo Propagated and Cultured VX2 Cells

Published on: September 12, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Hormonal Regulation01:40

Hormonal Regulation

Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.