Thyroid gland intertwined with estrogen and progesterone symbols, representing hormone connection to thyroid cancer

Thyroid Cancer and Hormones: What's the Connection?

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the role of estrogen and progesterone receptors in papillary thyroid carcinoma and what it means for women's health."

Thyroid cancer stands as the most prevalent malignancy of the endocrine system, with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) leading the charge. While factors like radiation exposure are known contributors, the striking female predominance in thyroid cancer cases suggests hormones might play a more significant role than previously understood.

Oestrogens, key hormones in female physiology, have been shown to influence the development of papillary carcinoma by fueling cell proliferation and invasion, underscoring a potentially critical link between hormonal activity and thyroid cancer progression.

This article delves into the role of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in PTC. We'll explore how these hormone receptors might impact the clinicopathological characteristics of thyroid cancer. Ultimately, understanding this relationship can open doors to more targeted and effective therapies.

The Significance of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid gland intertwined with estrogen and progesterone symbols, representing hormone connection to thyroid cancer

A study examining 62 primary and six metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma cases revealed intriguing insights into ER-α and PR expression. The findings indicated that 19% of primary PTC cases showed positive nuclear expression for ER-α, while 38.7% exhibited PR expression. Notably, metastatic cases displayed a higher ER expression (66.7%) but were negative for PR.

This research suggests that estrogen receptor expression is significantly more prevalent in metastatic thyroid cancer compared to primary tumors. This observation hints at a potential role for estrogen in the metastatic process, indicating that cancer cells may leverage estrogen signaling to spread from the primary site.

ER-α and Metastasis: ER-α expression shows a greater positivity in metastatic sites versus primary PTC, signifying malignant potential.
ER-α and Thyroiditis: Primary PTC cases associated with thyroiditis exhibited a significant association with ER-α.
PR and Age: Progesterone receptor expression associates significantly with older age in primary PTC cases.
ER and PR Correlation: ER and PR demonstrate significant co-expression, enhancing the opportunity for hormonal therapies.

The concurrent expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in papillary thyroid carcinoma opens avenues for further research into hormonal therapies. For patients with ER-positive tumors, hormone-blocking medications, like those used in breast cancer, might offer a potential treatment option. This approach could be especially beneficial in cases where surgery and radioactive iodine therapy are insufficient.

Future Directions and Hope for Thyroid Cancer Patients

The study's results highlight the potential for hormone-targeted therapies in treating thyroid cancer, particularly in metastatic cases. The presence of lymphocytes in the stroma may promote ER expression in adjacent PTC, warranting further studies on PTC cases associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis to verify this assumed relationship. While more research is needed, these findings offer a promising step forward in personalizing thyroid cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary type of thyroid cancer, and why is there a focus on hormones in its study?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. The focus on hormones, specifically oestrogens, arises from the striking female predominance in thyroid cancer cases, suggesting that hormones might play a more significant role in the development and progression of PTC than previously understood. Oestrogens can influence PTC development by fueling cell proliferation and invasion.

How do estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression differ between primary and metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)?

Research indicates that estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) expression is more prevalent in metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases compared to primary tumors. In a study, 66.7% of metastatic cases showed ER-α positivity, while only 19% of primary PTC cases did. Conversely, progesterone receptor (PR) expression was higher in primary PTC (38.7%) but negative in metastatic cases. This suggests that estrogen signaling may play a role in the metastatic process of thyroid cancer.

What implications does the co-expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and progesterone receptor (PR) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have for potential treatments?

The co-expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and progesterone receptor (PR) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) opens the possibility of hormonal therapies. For ER-positive tumors, hormone-blocking medications, similar to those used in breast cancer, might be a viable treatment option. This approach could be particularly beneficial when surgery and radioactive iodine therapy are not sufficient. Further research is needed to fully explore the effectiveness and application of these hormonal therapies in thyroid cancer.

How might thyroiditis, specifically Hashimoto's thyroiditis, be related to estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)?

Primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases associated with thyroiditis show a significant association with estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) expression. The presence of lymphocytes in the stroma may promote ER expression in adjacent PTC, suggesting a potential link between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and ER-α expression. Further studies are needed to verify this assumed relationship and understand the mechanisms driving this connection.

What future research directions are indicated by the study of estrogen and progesterone receptors in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and what hope do they offer for thyroid cancer patients?

The study's results highlight the potential for hormone-targeted therapies in treating thyroid cancer, particularly in metastatic cases. Future research should focus on verifying the assumed relationship between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and ER-α expression in PTC. While more research is needed, these findings offer a promising step forward in personalizing thyroid cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes. This approach could be especially beneficial in cases where surgery and radioactive iodine therapy are insufficient.