Estrogen and progesterone receptor detection in neoplastic and non-neoplastic thyroid tissues

Previous reports have shown that estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PgR) are detectable in neoplastic and non-neoplastic thyroid tissues using a variety of techniques. However, differences in relative expression of ER and PgR according to tumor type have not been emphasized. To determine whether such differences occur and to assess clinicopathologic correlations, we have evaluated ER and PgR expression in sections of 64 thyroid lesions stained by indirect immunoperoxidase. The lesions studied included 39 papillary carcinomas, 3 follicular adenomas, 2 follicular carcinomas, 15 Hürthle cell tumors, 3 medullary carcinomas, and 2 multinodular goiters. Immunostaining was achieved using monoclonal antibodies H222 to ER and JZB39 to PgR. Additionally, the monoclonal antibodies D75p3 to ER and mPRI to PgR were also used in some cases. Overall, ER and/orPgR were detected in 26 of 64 lesions (40%) using any of the above antibodies. ER was identified in eight of 64 (12.5%) tumors that were all papillary carcinomas. No staining for ER was seen in follicular neoplasms, Hürthle cell tumors, or medullary carcinomas. PgR staining was present in 13 of 39 (33%) papillary carcinomas, 8 of 15 (53%) Hürthle cell tumors, 2 of 7 (28%) follicular tumors, and in none of 3 medullary carcinomas. Non-neoplastic thyroid tissue was negative for ER and PgR in all but one case in which weak staining for PgR was present adjacent to a follicular adenoma. There were no correlations between ER and/or PgR staining and age, gender, tumor size, presence of capsular or vascular invasion, or lymph node status in any tumor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)