Expression and clinicopathological significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors in gallbladder cancer

Abstract

Background: Clinical significance of sex hormone receptors in gallbladder cancer is not yet established. This study was performed to assess the expression pattern of estrogen and progesterone receptors in benign and malignant gallbladder lesions, and to assess their clinicopathological significance.

Methods: Tissue samples from resected gallbladder for cholelithiasis (n = 20) and carcinoma gallbladder (n = 25) were evaluated for estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) expression by automated immunohistochemistry. Their expression was correlated with different clinicopathological parameters.

Results: ER expression was significantly high (28%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 14-47) in gallbladder cancer than in chronic cholecystitis (0%; P = .012). PR expression did not differ in two groups (benign 40%, 95% CI, 21.8-61.4; malignant 52%, 95% CI, 33.5-69.9). Metaplastic benign lesions had near significant higher expression of PR (71.4%) than nonmetaplastic lesion (15.9%; P = .062). Their expression did not correlate with gender, age, menopausal status, presence of gallstones, tumor differentiation, and tumor stage.

Conclusion: Female sex hormones play an important role in the gallbladder carcinogenesis. ER and PR may not have prognostic value. Presence of ER in ∼1/3 and PR in 1/2 of patients with carcinoma gallbladder suggests the potential role of antihormonal therapy.

Figure 1.

Possible role of female sex hormones at various steps in dysplasia carcinoma sequence of gallbladder carcinogenesis.