Sex hormones in papillary carcinoma of thyroid gland and pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland.

This is a histologic study using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method for demonstration of estradiol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and progesterone in the normal thyroid gland and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland as well as in the normal parotid gland and pleomorphic adenomas. The results show that the normal follicular epithelia of the thyroid gland and the intercalated, striated ducts in the parotid gland stained for sex hormones. Estradiol was positive in both thyroid and parotid gland tissue in females and males. In females, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were not recognized in the thyroid gland tissue and were only weakly present or negative in parotid gland tissue. In males, both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were positive. Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland and pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland were positive for estradiol but not for testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. This suggests that there is a sex difference in the influence of sex hormones on the normal thyroid and parotid glands, and that estradiol exerts an influence on papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland and pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.