Relationship between expression of estrogen receptor progestrone receptor and the biological characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To Clarity the relationship between the expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progestogen receptor (PR) and the biological characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD: The immuno-histochemical LSAB method was used to analyse the ER and PR in paraffin section specimen of 71 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. CT scaning and clinic presentation were also put into consideration. RESULT: The expression of ER with (-), (+), (++) and (+++) in 71 cases were: 4(5.63%), 19(26.76%), 27(38.03%) and 21 (26.76%), respectively. The expression of PR with (-), (+) and (++) in 71 cases were: 41(57.75%), 29 (39.44%) and 2(2.82%), respectively. The encroaching of tumor to the tissue of parapharynx, the metastasis rate of lymphonode and clinic stage were related to the expression of ER (P < 0.01). The encroaching of tumor to the tissue of parapharynx, the metastasis rate of lymphonode were also assciated with the expression of PR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NPC is a tumor of hightly expression of ER and PR. The positive intensity of ER and PR were associated with the encroaching extent of NPC, and the metastasis rate of lymphonode. It is significant to detarmine ER and PR of NPC in assessing the biological characterisitics of NPC and predicting the prognosis of NPC. It also suggests that the endocrine therapy can be put into consideration.