Comparison of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial polyps and normal endometrium

INTRODUCTION: The pathogenesis of endometrial polyps is still unknown. Our aim in this research is to examine steroid receptors in endometrial polyps. METHODS: This study immunohistochemically stained estrogen and progesterone receptors of both polyp and intact endometrium tissues of 28 patients who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy between February 2008 and December 2011 in our hospital. RESULTS: The coloring scores were recorded as 3 positive for strong dyes, 2 positive for medium dyes and 1 positive for weak dyes. In endometrial polyp gland estrogen receptors were weak in 1 (3.6%) patient and strong in 17 (60.7%) patient. In the stroma, 5 (17.9%) patients were weak and 12 (52.8%) patients were strongly stained. The endometrial tissues adjacent to the polyp 13 (46.4%) patients were weak and 5 (17.6%) patients were strong stained. In the stroma, 14 (50.0%) patients were weak and 3 (10.7%) patients were strongly stained. Progesterone receptors did not show weak staining on the endometrial polyp gland. Strong staining was observed in 27 patients (96.4%). There was no weak staining in stroma. Strong staining was observed in 25 patients (89.3%). The gland of the endometrial tissue adjacent to polyp; 4 (14.3%) patients weak, 18 (64.3%) moderate, and 6 (21.4%) patients were strong stained. In the stroma, 3 (10.7%) patients weak, 18 (64.3%) patients moderate and 7 (%25.0) patients were strongly stained. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the importance of steroid receptors on the development of endometrial polyps. Therapeutic treatments for these receptors may be useful in preventing the development of polyps, as well as in treatment and prevention of complaints