Estrogen receptors in fine-needle aspirates from metastatic lesions of gynecologic tumors

The estrogen receptor content in metastases of gynecological tumors was analyzed with an immunocytochemical technique in material obtained by fine-needle aspiration. Eighteen patients with metastasis from ovarian (10 cases), endometrial (4 cases), and uterine cervical (4 cases) carcinomas were studied. Three metastases showed specific nuclear staining for estrogen receptors and they originated from primary tumors in the ovary, the cervix, and the endometrium. Thus needle aspirates can be used for cytomorphologic diagnosis as well as determination of estrogen receptors and their use has potential value when a decision must be made between hormonal therapy or chemotherapy in patients with generalized gynecological carcinomas.