Prognostic value of cytosolic estrogen receptors in human colorectal carcinoma and surrounding mucosa - Preliminary results

Estrogen receptors have been found in normal and neoplastic gastrointestinal mucosa. The aim of our study was to verify whether the content of cytosolic estrogen receptor in normal and neoplastic tissue has a prognostic value in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Eighty consecutive patients entered the study, and their follow-up was complete because non were lost to follow-up. Estrogen receptors were evaluated by an enzymatic immunoassay. Fifty-four percent of neoplastic samples and 84% of samples from surrounding mucosa showed an estrogen receptor content higher than 1.0 fmol/mg of cytosolic proteins (cut point for positive/negative hormone receptor status). Estrogen receptor levels were lower in neoplastic tissue than surrounding mucosa (1.2±1.05 fmol/mg protein vs 2.07±1.36 fmol/mg protein, respectively, t test P=0.001). The survival of patients with estrogen receptor expression in uninvolved surrounding mucosa was longer than that of patients without estrogen receptor in the same type of mucosa (log rank test, P