Estrogen-receptor protein in intracranial meningiomas

The increased frequency of meningiomas in women compared with men, and the rapidly progressive course of these tumors in pregnant patients suggest that hormones may be involved in this disease. Tumor tissue from six patients with meningiomas was analyzed for estrogen-receptor protein. Two patients had tumors with very high concentrations of this protein, approaching that found in hormonally sensitive breast carcinoma. The biochemical and possible clinical significance of these findings is discussed.