Estradiol and progesterone receptors in breast cancer: prognostic value after relapse.

The prognostic significance of estradiol (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) for survival from relapse has been studied in two groups of breast cancer patients: group 1, 35 patients in whom receptor levels were measured at the time of mastectomy; group II, 49 patients in whom receptor levels were measured at the time of recurrence. ER+ (greater than 10 fmoles/mg) patients had a better survival from relapse than ER- patients. High levels of PgR (greater than 50 fmoles/mg) had a prognostic significance only in group II patients.