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Estrogen and progesterone receptor content in human thyroid disease
K H van Hoeven1, C J Menendez-Botet, E W Strong
1Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Estrogen receptors are common in thyroid lesions but don't predict clinical features or metastasis. Progesterone receptor activity in papillary carcinoma and goiter warrants further study for thyroid cancer research.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Estrogen and progesterone receptors are present in thyroid tumors.
- Their clinical significance in thyroid lesions remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of estrogen and progesterone receptor content in various thyroid lesions.
- To determine the relationship between receptor status and clinicopathologic features, including metastatic potential.
Main Methods:
- Prospective assay of estrogen and progesterone receptor content in 135 thyroid lesions (carcinomas, adenomas, goiters, thyroiditis) from 1980-1986.
- Utilized the dextran-coated charcoal method for receptor protein quantification.
Main Results:
- Estrogen receptor protein was detected in 46% of lesions, with no clear association with lesion type, size, age, or sex.
- Progesterone receptor protein was detected in 51% of lesions, with highest median values in papillary carcinomas, especially in males and women over 50.
- Receptor content was unrelated to metastases at presentation or late metastatic potential during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen receptors are prevalent in thyroid lesions but lack clear clinical or prognostic significance.
- Progesterone receptor activity, particularly in papillary carcinoma and goiter, requires further investigation.
- Receptor status does not predict metastatic potential in thyroid carcinomas.