Estrogen and progesterone receptors in smooth muscle component of deep infiltrating endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors in the smooth muscle component (SMC) of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).


METHODS
A prospective clinical and pathologic study of 60 cases of DIE.


METHODS
University Hospital Department of Gynacology.


METHODS
Sixty patients with symptomatic DIE (uterosacral endometriosis n = 14; bladder endometriosis n = 10; colonic endometriosis n = 16; rectovaginal endometriosis n = 20).


METHODS
Laparoscopic surgery.


METHODS
The expression of ER and PR was studied by immunohistochemistry in the SMC directly around endometriotic foci and at distance (at least >1.5 cm) from them in correlation with proliferative and secretory phases of cycle.


RESULTS
The ER and PR were present in the SMC of DEI in each location excepting colonic endometriosis where ER were absent. Independently of cycle's phases the PR were more abundant than ER. With the exception of rectovaginal endometriosis, where the ER and PR were more abundant in the proliferative than in the secretory phase, in other locations the ER and PR did not differ significantly with cycle's phases. Last, if ER and PR were more abundant in SMC around endometriotic foci than at a distance from them. However, the difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data substantially confirm for the first time that in various forms of DIE, ER and PR are present not only in glands and stroma but also in the smooth muscle major histologic component of this disease.
Noël
Jean-Christophe
JC
Department of Pathology, Erasme University Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. Jean-Christophe.Noel@erasme.ulb.ac.be
Chapron
Charles
C
Bucella
Dario
D
Buxant
Frederic
F
Peny
Marie-Odile
MO
Fayt
Isabelle
I
Borghese
Bruno
B
Anaf
Vincent
V
D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone