Immunohistochemical examinations of sex hormone receptors in benign vocal fold lesions.
BACKGROUND
Acquired benign vocal fold lesions are among the most common causes of voice problems. Since the local impact of estrogen and progesterone receptors in laryngeal tissue is discussed controversially, the presence of sex hormone receptors in benign vocal fold alterations needs to be clarified.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of estrogen-alpha receptors (ER-alpha), estrogen-beta receptors (ER-beta), progesterone receptors (PR) and androgen receptors (AR) in acquired benign vocal fold alterations.


METHODS
Laryngeal epithelial specimens of 14 patients (13 female, 1 male) taken intraoperatively were investigated using immunohistochemistry in order to objectify ER-alpha, ER-beta, PR and AR. Macroscopically and histopathologically diagnosed edemas of Reinke's space (n = 10), vocal fold polyps (n = 3) and vocal fold nodules (n = 1) were enrolled in this study.


RESULTS
No specific nuclear immunohistochemical staining could be seen in the biopsies taken. Only unspecific staining patterns could be observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex hormone receptors could not be detected in the specimens tested, thus, any direct influence of sex hormones on the development of benign vocal fold lesions is rather unlikely. The results of this study confirm the impact of vocal fold stress and biomechanical abnormalities on their development due to voice overstraining and abuse.
Cohen
Eleonore
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Agnes Hospital, Bocholt, Germany.
Kolbus
Andrea
A
van Trotsenburg
Michael
M
Rudas
Margarethe
M
Horvat
Reinhard
R
Schneider
Berit
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011987:Receptors, Steroid