Immunohistochemical expression of estrogens and progesterone receptors in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma-undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma types.

Cancer of the salivary gland is one of the common cancers in the head and the neck regions. This type of cancer develops in the minor and the major salivary glands, and it sometimes metastasizes to other organs, particularly the lung. Morphologic mimicry and similarity in the expression of steroid hormone receptors between salivary gland tumours and breast tumours are well-known phenomena and are occasionally debated in the field of surgical pathology. The expression of sex hormone receptors in some tumours suggests a role for these receptors in tumor pathogenesis and therapy. Previous studies of the expression of estrogens and progesterone receptors in salivary gland tumours have reported conflicting results.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to characterize alteration in the immunohistochemical expression of oestrogens receptor and progesterone receptor in the tumour cells of carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma.

METHODS

27 cases of carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma (undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma types) were examined.

RESULTS

The results showed that 27 (100 %) of 27 cases had negative nuclear staining for either oestrogens or progesterone receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that carcinomas arising in pleomorphic adenoma were not dependent on endocrine function.