ESTRADIOL RECEPTORS AND METASTASIS IN HUMAN BREAST-CANCER

The localization and extent of metastasis determine the prognosis of b reast cancer in a decisive manner. Thereby axillary lymph node involve ment represents one of the most important prognostic indicators. The e stradiol receptor status is also attributed some prognostic importance . There might therefore be relations between these prognostic factors. However, the majority of investigators could not find a correlation b etween the extent and timing of regional lymph node involvement and es tradiol receptor status. In contrast, there are numerous findings whic h confirm correlations between estradiol receptors and the localizatio n, extent, and timing of distant metastasis. The findings obtained in more recent years have been collected and discussed in relation to eve nts included in the process of metastasis such as release of proteases and existence of receptor variants.