Objective: Our study aimed to characterize alteration in the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptor in the tumour cells of primary pleomorphic adenomas and recurrent pleomorphic adenomas.
Methods: A retrospective study of data including 30 cases of primary pleomorphic adenomas (PA) without recurrences and 15 cases of recurrent pleomorphic adenomas were examined (RPA). RPA included 8 males and 7 females. Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptor was examined in the selected cases. The percentage of slides was semi-quantitatively assessed by two independent observers and scores were given. The statistical analysis included the use of descriptive statistics and proportional frequencies.
Results: AR expression was identified in 12 (40. %) out of 30 cases of (PA) pleomorphic adenomas and 7 of 15 cases recurrent pleomorphic adenomas (RPA) (46 %). The results showed that ER and PR expression were negative in PA and RPA.
Conclusion: Androgen receptors might have role in pathogenesis of PA and RPA. Estrogen and progesterone receptors have no role in development of recurrent pleomorphic salivary adenoma.
Keywords: Expression of Estrogen; progesterone and androgen receptor; recurrent pleomorphic salivary adenoma.