Presence of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in hepatic adenomas. A report of two cases.

Two cases of hepatic adenomas observed in young women with (Case 1) or without (Case 2) prior history of oral contraceptive use are investigated for the presence of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) by dextran-coated charcoal method. Such a study reveals the presence of PR and the absence of ER in adenomatous tissue from both the cases, while both ER and PR are detected in the normal liver adjacent to adenoma. The significance of these findings is discussed, and the presence of PR is interpreted as a biologic response to estrogens, even in the apparent absence of ER.