[An immunohistochemical study of the steroid hormone receptors in endometrial hyperplasia].

AIM: Evaluation of the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) in different degrees of endometrial hyperplasias.

METHODS

10 cases of each degree of endometrial hyperplasia (simple, complex and atypical) were analyzed using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique and monoclonal antibodies applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

RESULTS

We found similar, high level of both ER and PR in simple and complex hyperplasias and a significant decrease of these in atypical hyperplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Endometrial hyperplasias develop in a setting of estrogen excess. This explains the high level of endometrial receptors and the response to progesterone in typical hyperplasia. In atypical hyperplasia, the decrease of steroid receptors results in a low sensibility of this lesion to progestative therapy, but there are cases with high receptor levels which could have a chance for hormonal therapy.