Immunohistochemical detection of female sex hormone receptors in craniopharyngiomas: correlation with clinical and histologic features.
BACKGROUND
Although craniopharyngiomas have a histologically benign nature, their treatment can be difficult. The correlation among clinical, proliferative, and immunohistologic features of female sex hormone receptors was determined in craniopharyngiomas to analyze whether they influence the growth of the tumor.


METHODS
The study subjects were 43 patients with previously untreated craniopharyngioma who underwent surgery at our department over the past 15 years. Serial tissue sections were immunostained with the antibodies against estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki-67.


RESULTS
The Ki-67 labeling index was significantly higher in patients with regrowth (7.8%) than without regrowth (3.9%). ER and PR were detected in 9 of 30 (30%) craniopharyngiomas, and the incidence of postoperative tumor regrowth was significantly higher in patients negative for ER and PR (29%) than in those positive for both receptors (11%).


CONCLUSIONS
A high Ki-67 labeling index suggests a high possibility of tumor regrowth, and the presence of ER and PR is suggestive of a high tissue differentiating potential. ER and PR assay may be useful for determining the indication for additional radiation therapy in craniopharyngioma patients treated by incomplete resection.
Izumoto
Shuichi
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. sizumoto@nsurg.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Suzuki
Tsuyosi
T
Kinoshita
Manabu
M
Hashiba
Tetsuo
T
Kagawa
Naoki
N
Wada
Kouichi
K
Fujimoto
Yasunori
Y
Hashimoto
Naoya
N
Saitoh
Youichi
Y
Maruno
Motohiko
M
Yoshimine
Toshiki
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D018579:Patient Selection; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000592:standards; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone