[Steroid hormone receptors in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck]

In this study we have tried to find new prognostic markers to extend the therapeutical modalities for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. During evolution the development of the pharyngolaryngeal region differs in males and females, therefore this region can be considered as one of the target organs for sex steroids. Some of the tumours, originating from this area, contain hormone receptors that theoretically makes them susceptible for hormone therapy. Therefore the real concentration of steroid receptors is of great clinical importance. We determined the estradiol, progesterone and testosterone receptor content using biochemical method in tumour tissue of 33 male patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The receptors in the macroscopically intact mucosa in 15 of all tumour cases were also measured. The patients were followed for 18-24 month after operation and postoperative irradiation performed according to the protocol of the Head and Neck Surgery department. There were 26/33 (79%) estradiol receptor positive, 14/33 (42%) progesterone receptor positive and 18/30 (60%) testosterone receptor positive cases among the tumour samples. The healthy mucosa samples were positive in 6/15 (40%), 2/15 (13%) and 3/15 (20%) of cases, respectively. The differences in proportion of positive status between tumour and healthy mucosa was statistically significant. We established that during the control period the highest rate of the tumour-free survival was in the estradiol receptor positive, progesterone receptor negative group. Consequently the steroid receptor status of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas might help in assessing the prognosis of survival, and in possible choice for endocrine treatment, in order to complete the complex tumour therapy.