The Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Endometrial Carcinoma - An Update

Abstract

Immunohistochemistry of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors in breast cancer is an established method of predicting responsiveness to hormonal treatment and calculating the prognosis and disease free survival rates. However the utility of immunohistochemistry of ER and PR in endometrial cancer (EC), another hormone dependent neoplasia has not yet been well defined and is not a routine in treatment algorithms. Their changing levels in various stages of menstrual cycle and action by alteration of genes regulating endometrial cell cycle have been extensively studied. This knowledge is gradually being integrated in selection of management protocols in terms of initial risk stratification and selection of hormonal and or cytotoxic agents as primary treatment modality or as adjuvants following surgery. This review looks into the molecular basis of ER and PR receptor alterations in EC together with its clinical implications.