Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Contents in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Estrogen and progesterone receptor content (ER-PR) were studied by immunohistochemistry in 25 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 28 cases with chronic liver disease (CLD). 21 of 25 HCC samples were positive for ER and 8 of them had strong staining. 12 of 28 cases with CLD was positive for ER and all of them had weak staining. The result of anti-estrogen-tamoxifen therapy in one case was discussed. This study suggests that ER is found in high incidence in HCC and anti-estrogen therapy must be evaluated in larger study groups.