Oestrogen hormone receptors in focal nodular hyperplasia.
BACKGROUND
The role of hormones in focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) has been investigated with conflicting results.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate oestrogen and progesterone receptor immunohistochemical expression in FNH and surrounding normal liver (control material).


METHODS
Biopsy materials from FNH and control tissue were investigated using an immunostainer. Receptor expression was graded as the proportion score (percentage of nuclear staining) and oestrogen receptor intensity score.


RESULTS
Study material included tissue from 11 resected FNH lesions and two core biopsies in 13 patients (two male). Twelve samples showed oestrogen receptor expression. The percentage of nuclear oestrogen receptor staining was <33% in eight FNH biopsies, 34-66% in two FNH biopsies, and >67% in both core biopsies. The better staining in core biopsies relates to limitations of the staining technique imposed by the fibrous nature of larger resected FNH. Control samples from surrounding tissue were available for nine of the resected specimens and all showed oestrogen receptor expression. Progesterone receptor expression was negligible in FNH and control samples.


CONCLUSIONS
By contrast with previous studies, the majority of FNH and surrounding liver in this cohort demonstrated oestrogen receptor nuclear staining. The implications of this for continued oral contraceptive use in women of reproductive age with FNH remain uncertain given the lack of consistent reported growth response to oestrogen stimulation or withdrawal.
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.|Division of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Manju D
MD
Chandrasegaram
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Ali
A
Shah
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.|Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
John W
JW
Chen
Department of Tissue Pathology, SA Pathology, Royal Adelaide Hospital Site, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Andrew
A
Ruszkiewicz
Department of Tissue Pathology, SA Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre Site, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
David S
DS
Astill
Department of Tissue Pathology, SA Pathology, Royal Adelaide Hospital Site, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Georgina
G
England
Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Ravish S
RS
Raju
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.|Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Eu Ling
EL
Neo
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Paul M
PM
Dolan
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Chuan Ping
CP
Tan
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.|Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Mark
M
Brooke-Smith
Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Tom
T
Wilson
Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Robert T A
RT
Padbury
Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Christopher S
CS
Worthley
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D020518:Focal Nodular Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone