Immunohistochemical expression of estrogens and progesterone receptors in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma-undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma types

Cancer of the salivary gland is one of the common cancers in the head and the neck regions. This type of cancer develops in the minor and the major salivary glands, and it sometimes metastasizes to other organs, particularly the lung. Morphologic mimicry and similarity in the expression of steroid hormone receptors between salivary gland tumors and breast tumors are well-known phenomena and are occasionally debated in the field of surgical pathology. The expression of sex hormone receptors in some tumors suggests a role for these receptors in tumor pathogenesis and therapy. Previous studies of the expression of estrogens and progesterone receptors in salivary gland tumors have reported conflicting results. Objective: Our study aimed to characterize alteration in the immunohistochemical expression of estrogens receptor and progesterone receptor in the tumor cells of carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma. Study design: 27 cases of carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma (undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma types) were examined. Results: The results showed that 27 (100 %) of 27 cases had negative nuclear staining for either estrogens or progesterone receptors. Conclusion: Our data suggest that carcinomas arising in pleomorphic adenoma were not dependent on endocrine function.