Sex steroid receptors in endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer contains estrogen and progestin receptor proteins. The receptor content inversely correlates with histologic differentiation. The correlation between receptor content and histologic subtype and stage of the disease may depend upon the degree of differentiation of the tumor. The status of the peritoneal cytology and depth of myometrial invasion by tumor do not correlate with the receptor status. In general, patients with receptor-rich tumors have a better prognosis than those without receptors and respond favorably to progestin therapy. The level of the receptor protein in the tumor may also influence survival.