Estrogen and progesterone receptors in ovarian neoplasms.

The cytoplasmic receptors for 17 beta-estradiol (ER) and progesterone (PR) were measured in 39 malignant and 15 benign ovarian neoplasms. All eight endometroid carcinomas had positive ER sites, one-half contained PR. The number of ER binding sites decreased as tumor grade increased. Conversely, none of the 11 mucinous tumors contained either ER or PR receptors. One-half of the well-differentiated serous tumors had ER (57 +/- 23 fmole/mg protein) while none of the poorly differentiated tumors had measurable binding. In serous carcinomas, PR was only detected in well-differentiated lesions (447 +/- 240 fmole/mg protein). Only one of 15 benign neoplasms contained ER and PR receptors. Correlation of tumor grade and type may help to plan hormonal therapies in advanced ovarian malignancies.