Estrogen Receptor

Abstract

Assay for estrogen receptor content was strongly positive in a postmenopausal patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma whose primary site of origin was undeterminable. Bilateral oophorectory and adrenalectomy were performed, resulting in a progression-free period of six months. Estrogen receptor content was determined in other neoplasms, both benign and malignant. Estrogen receptor was present in a high percentage of benign and in one case of malignant endometrial neoplasms. No other neoplasm had a positive assay except for one case of papillary adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Three normal ovaries had negative assays. The presence of estrogen receptor can be used as a therapeutic guide in undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma after exclusion of abnormal pelvic findings in women.