Background:Most of thyroid carcinomas are of papillary type. Gender difference in incidence suggests that such tumor might be influenced by sex hormones. HER 2/neu is known to play a role in different tumor types. This study aimed at assessing immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors (ERs), progesterone receptors (PRs), androgen receptors (ARs) and Her 2/ neu receptors in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its correlation with clinic-pathological parameters.
Methods:This retrospective study included 42 cases of PTC. Clinic-pathological data were revised with calculation of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Immunohistochemical staining for ERs, PRs, ARs and HER 2/neu were performed and interpreted in double blind by two expert pathologists.
Results: PRs expression was significantly associated with existence of residual activity in the post-operative whole-body iodine scan (P=0.03). Meanwhile, ERs and ARs expression were insignificantly correlated with patients' clinic-pathologic features. HER-2/neu expression was significantly associated with tumor size(P=.04), extra-thyroid extension (P=0.003) and nodal recurrence (p=0.009). Logistic regression analysis confirmed a significant effect of HER2 expression as independent predictor of nodal recurrence (P=0.017). Significant difference between HER2 positive and HER2 negative cases regarding DFS and OAS was found.
Conclusion: PRs and HER-2/neu expression were associated with tumor aggression. The value of expression of both ERs and ARs was not proved. Larger multicenter studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm such issues that could define high risk group of patients, especially for nodal recurrence, and the value of hormonal and target therapy for improvement of DFS and OAS.