Hepatic estrogen and progesterone receptors in an estrogen-associated hepatic neoplasm

Abstract

A patient with a benign hepatic neoplasm developing after treatment with estrogenic hormones is described. After excision, the neoplastic tissue was analyzed for the presence of cytosol estrogen and progesterone binding proteins. The neoplasm was classified as focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and was demonstrated to contain high-affinity cytosol estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors. The estrogen-binding affinity of the neoplasm was three times greater than that of normal liver. Further investigation of cytosol hormone receptors in estrogen associated hepatic neoplasms will be required to define the role of these binding proteins in the possible etiology of certain liver tumors.

PIP: The case report for a patient with a benign hepatic neoplasm which developed following estrogenic hormone treatment is described. After excision, the neoplastic tissue was biopsied and found to contain high-affinity cytosol estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors. It is hypothesized that a small proportion of normal hepatic cells have relatively high concentrations of cytosol estrogen receptors, rendering them susceptible to stimulation to a neoplastic state by estrogen. In order to clarify the role of these binding proteins in the possible etiology of certain liver tumors, further investigation of cytosol hormone receptors in estrogen-associated hepatic neoplasms will be necessary.