Estradiol receptors and metastasis in human breast cancer

The localization and extent of metastasis determined the prognosis of breast cancer in a decisive manner. Thereby axillary lymph node involvement represents one of the most important prognostic indicators. The estradiol receptor status is also attributed some prognostic importance. There might therefore be relations between these prognostic factors. However, the majority of investigators could not find a correlation between the extent and timing of regional lymph node involvement and estradiol receptor status. In contrast, there are numerous findings which confirm correlations between estradiol receptors and the localization, extent, and timing of distant metastasis. The findings obtained in more recent years have been collected and discussed in relation to events included in the process of metastasis such as release of proteases and existence of receptor variants.