Changes of estrogen and progesterone receptor content in endometrial cancer after intracavital irradiation

Cytosolic estradiol and progesterone receptor contents were investigated before and after intracavital irradiation in 48 patients with endometrial carcinoma. It was found that the frequency of receptor positive cases was similar to the international mean values. After irradiation about 30% of receptors changed in the direction of positive or negative, but this change cancel each other. In those positive cases which remained positive after irradiation, the content of receptor decreased. The result of histologic examination became negative in 18% of the treated cases using the average 2200 mg/h irradiation dose. The importance of irradiation before operation and the determination of cytosolic receptors for the complex therapy is emphasized. (author)