Androgen receptor expression in metastatic adenocarcinoma in females favors a breast primary
2006

Androgen Receptor Expression in Metastatic Adenocarcinoma in Females

Sample size: 113 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Vinod B Shidham, Richard A Komorowski, Jinobya K Machhi

Primary Institution: Medical College of Wisconsin

Hypothesis

This study evaluates the diagnostic significance of androgen receptor expression in breast adenocarcinoma and other similar adenocarcinomas.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of mammary and some ovarian carcinomas express androgen receptors, suggesting breast and ovary as likely primary sites for AR-positive metastatic tumors.

Supporting Evidence

  • 56% of mammary carcinoma cases were positive for androgen receptors.
  • 20% of ovarian adenocarcinomas expressed androgen receptors.
  • Cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for androgen receptors was noted in 52% of non-mammary adenocarcinomas.

Takeaway

This study found that many breast and some ovarian cancers have a special marker called androgen receptors, which can help doctors figure out where the cancer started.

Methodology

The study analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 113 cases of primary adenocarcinomas, using immunohistochemistry to assess androgen receptor expression.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on poorly differentiated tumors, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

The study included 113 cases, with a majority being female patients with various types of adenocarcinomas.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1746-1596-1-34

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