A study of estrogen and progesterone cytosol receptor concentration in benign and malignant ovarian tumors and a review of malignant ovarian tumors treated with medroxy-progesterone acetate.

ER and PR were assayed in 13 malignant and 20 benign ovarian tumors of different histologic types. ER was detectable in 67% and PR in 40% of the malignant tumors, compared with 35 and 45% in the benign tumors, respectively. The ER concentration was somewhat higher in the malignant lesions but there was no difference in the PR level. A retrospective review of 39 primary ovarian tumors of different pathologic stages and classes, treated postoperatively with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, Depo-Provera, UpJohn) and in most cases Melphalan, showed a high Karnofsky performance index and good complete and partial response rates. The need for a prospective, controlled study of the role of MPA treatment of malignant ovarian tumors in evident.