ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE-RECEPTOR STATUS OF CENTRAL GIANT-CELL LESIONS OF THE JAWS

It is well known that the central giant cell lesion (granuloma) of the jaws has a distinct female predilection. In addition, occasional case s of central giant cell lesion have been reported to have undergone ma rked proliferation in pregnant patients and in those undergoing hormon al therapy. As such, we have evaluated 10 central giant cell lesions f or the detection of estrogen and progesterone receptor proteins with t he use of immunoperoxidase staining. Surprisingly, however, immunostai ning for estrogen receptor protein was essentially negative in all cas es examined. Although an occasional mononuclear cell stained weakly po sitive for estrogen receptor protein, these findings suggest that in m ost cases, factors other than a direct influence of the ovarian hormon es, estrogen and progesterone, are responsible for the development and growth of these lesions.