Estrogen and progesterone receptors in thyroid lesions.

BACKGROUND

Given the higher incidence and better prognosis of thyroid cancers in women, the possibility arises that these lesions may be influenced by sex hormones. With the development of monoclonal antibodies to the estrogen and progesterone receptor proteins, receptor status can now be determined by immunohistochemical methods that allow direct localization of receptors in tissue.

METHODS

Using this technique, we have studied tissues of 11 patients, 2 of them pregnant, with thyroid lesions. Paraffin-embedded tissues were used. Positive controls consisted of known estrogen- and progesterone-positive breast carcinomas.

RESULTS

Examination of both the thyroid lesions and adjacent uninvolved thyroid tissue showed no nuclear reactivity with either estrogen or progesterone receptor antibodies. Our study did not confirm the previously reported incidence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in thyroid lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that contrary to earlier indications, estrogen and progesterone receptor proteins are neither significantly detectable nor pertinent for follow-up or prognosis in the patient with thyroid neoplasia.