Steroid receptors in renal cell carcinoma: relevance to hormonal therapy.

The relevance of the presence of steroid receptors in the response to hormonal therapy was examined in 19 patients with renal cell carcinoma who were treated by surgery and progestins. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were determined in tissue samples obtained from the tumors, and normal (autologous) and control kidneys. The tumoral tissues had the lowest content of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and the lowest percentage of samples positive for receptor. Autologous kidneys had a higher percentage of positive estrogen and progesterone receptors compared to tumoral tissues, and a lower estrogen receptor content compared to control kidneys. The 18-month survival rate under progesterone therapy for 9 patients with stages I and II tumor was 86 per cent and for 10 with stage IV tumor it was 8 per cent. The low content of progesterone and estrogen receptors in patients with renal cell carcinoma may explain the poor response rate of these patients to hormonal therapy.