Surreal illustration of thyroid gland intertwined with hormone receptors.

Thyroid Cancer and Hormones: Unlocking the Estrogen Connection

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how estrogen and progesterone receptors influence papillary thyroid carcinoma, impacting treatment and prognosis."

Thyroid cancer, the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, includes several types, with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) being the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 80% of cases. While risk factors such as ionizing radiation exposure are known, the striking female predominance in thyroid cancer incidence suggests hormonal influences might play a crucial role.

Estrogens, key hormones in female physiology, are increasingly recognized for their potential involvement in thyroid cancer development. These hormones can promote the proliferation and invasion of mutated epithelial follicular cells, contributing to the progression of papillary carcinoma. Understanding how estrogen and its receptors behave in thyroid cancer cells is crucial for improving treatment approaches.

This article delves into the role of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). By examining the expression of these receptors and correlating them with clinical and pathological characteristics, we aim to provide insights into the hormonal dynamics of thyroid cancer and explore potential therapeutic implications.

How Do Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Impact Thyroid Cancer?

Surreal illustration of thyroid gland intertwined with hormone receptors.

A recent study analyzed 62 primary and six metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma cases to assess the expression of ER-a and PR. The findings revealed that 19% of primary PTC cases showed positive nuclear expression for ER, while 38.7% were positive for PR. Interestingly, metastatic cases displayed a higher ER positivity rate (66.7%), but all were negative for PR.

These findings suggest a complex interplay between estrogen and progesterone in thyroid cancer progression. Specifically, the study highlighted the following key observations:

ER Expression in Metastatic Cases: The significantly higher ER positivity in metastatic cases compared to primary PTC (p = 0.02) suggests that estrogen receptor expression may play a role in the metastatic process.
Association with Thyroiditis: ER expression was significantly associated with primary PTC cases that also presented with thyroiditis (p = 0.002), indicating a potential link between inflammation and estrogen signaling in thyroid cancer.
PR Expression and Age: Progesterone receptor expression was significantly associated with older age in primary PTC patients (p = 0.003), implying that PR activity may be influenced by age-related factors.
Co-expression of ER and PR: The study found a significant co-parallel expression of ER and PR (p = 0.000), suggesting that these receptors may work together in thyroid cancer cells.

These insights suggest that estrogen and progesterone receptors could influence the behavior of papillary thyroid carcinoma, potentially affecting how the cancer grows, spreads, and responds to treatment. Further research is needed to fully understand these complex interactions and how they might be exploited for therapeutic benefit.

What's Next? Future Directions for Research and Treatment

The discovery that estrogen and progesterone receptors are expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma opens new avenues for research and potential therapeutic interventions. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether patients with ER-positive or PR-positive tumors might benefit from hormonal therapies. Additionally, understanding the relationship between estrogen receptor expression and metastasis could lead to more targeted treatment strategies for advanced thyroid cancer. Specifically, exploring the role of lymphocytes in the stroma and their potential promotion of ER expression in adjacent PTC warrants further investigation, particularly in cases associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary type of thyroid cancer discussed, and what is its prevalence?

The primary type of thyroid cancer discussed is papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 80% of thyroid cancer cases. This high prevalence makes understanding its specific characteristics, including hormonal influences, particularly important.

How do estrogen and progesterone receptors relate to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)?

Estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) are expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A study found that 19% of primary PTC cases showed positive nuclear expression for ER, while 38.7% were positive for PR. Interestingly, metastatic cases displayed a higher ER positivity rate (66.7%), but all were negative for PR. The presence and activity of these receptors suggest a complex interplay between estrogen and progesterone in thyroid cancer progression, influencing tumor behavior, growth, and response to treatment.

What were the key findings regarding the expression of Estrogen Receptors (ER) and Progesterone Receptors (PR) in the study?

The study revealed several key observations. First, the significantly higher ER positivity in metastatic cases compared to primary PTC (p = 0.02) suggests that estrogen receptor expression may play a role in the metastatic process. Second, ER expression was significantly associated with primary PTC cases that also presented with thyroiditis (p = 0.002), indicating a potential link between inflammation and estrogen signaling. Third, Progesterone receptor expression was significantly associated with older age in primary PTC patients (p = 0.003). Finally, the study found a significant co-parallel expression of ER and PR (p = 0.000), suggesting that these receptors may work together in thyroid cancer cells.

What is the significance of ER expression in metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)?

The significantly higher ER positivity in metastatic cases (66.7%) compared to primary PTC (19%) suggests that estrogen receptor expression may play a crucial role in the metastatic process. This implies that estrogen signaling, mediated by the ER, could promote the spread of cancer cells. This is a critical area for further research, as understanding how ER influences metastasis could lead to more targeted treatment strategies for advanced thyroid cancer, where the cancer has already spread.

What are the potential implications of these findings for future research and treatment strategies for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)?

The discovery that estrogen and progesterone receptors are expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) opens new avenues for research and potential therapeutic interventions. Future research could investigate if patients with ER-positive or PR-positive tumors might benefit from hormonal therapies. Additionally, understanding the relationship between estrogen receptor expression and metastasis could lead to more targeted treatment strategies for advanced thyroid cancer. Exploring the role of lymphocytes in the stroma and their potential promotion of ER expression warrants further investigation, particularly in cases associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These insights pave the way for personalized treatment approaches based on the hormonal profile of the tumor, potentially improving patient outcomes.