SEX-HORMONES IN PAPILLARY CARCINOMA OF THYROID-GLAND AND PLEOMORPHIC ADENOMA OF PAROTID-GLAND

This is a histologic study using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) m ethod for demonstration of estradiol, testosterone, dihydrotestosteron e and progesterone in the normal thyroid gland and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland as well as in the normal parotid gland and pleom orphic adenomas. The results show that the normal follicular epithelia of the thyroid gland and the intercalated, striated ducts in the paro tid gland stained for sex hormones. Estradiol was positive in both thy roid and parotid gland tissue in females and males. In females, testos terone and dihydrotestosterone were not recognized in the thyroid glan d tissue and were only weakly present or negative in parotid gland tis sue. In males, both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were positive . Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland and pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland were positive for estradiol but not for testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. This suggests that there is a sex difference in the influence of sex hormones on the normal thyroid and parotid gla nds. and that estradiol exerts an influence on papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland and pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.