Immunohistochemical study of estrogen receptor and estradiol on papillary thyroid carcinoma in young patients

Abstract

We have immunohistochemically examined estrogen receptors (ER) and estradiol (E2) on papillary thyroid carcinoma in young females under the age of 25 years. The 10 young females in this study were compared with 64 females 30 years of age or older who underwent surgery for treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma. We did not find any significant difference in the incidences of positive staining for E2 between the two groups. Of the specimens obtained from the young patients, 80% (8/10) showed positive staining for ER; this was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that observed in patients 30 years of age or older (25%). We think that, especially in youth, estrogen may play an important role as a promoting factor. This indication needs further study.