Androgen receptors in laryngeal carcinoma and their clinical significance.

Specific radioligand [3H] methyltestosterone incubation and dextran-coated charcoal absorption technique (DCC) were used to test cytosol androgen receptors (AR) of laryngeal carcinoma in 33 patients. In all specimens, high level AR ranged from 3 to 16.9 fmol/mg of cytosol protein (mean 10 +/- 3.9 fmol/mg), and dissociation constant was 1.7 x 10(-9) mole. Laryngeal carcinoma is considered a sex hormone-dependent tumor. High level of AR in laryngeal carcinoma may indicate a super-demand on androgen; when the content of AR increases the tumor proliferates perniciously. Antiandrogen endocrine therapy may be helpful in treating laryngeal carcinoma.