Hysteroscopic and immunohistochemical findings in endometrial lesions unresponsive to medroxyprogesterone acetate: a report on four cases

Objective

This is a case report showing an association between c-erbB2 over-expression in the endometrium and lack of response to progesterone.

Patients and methods

Determinations of oestrogen and progesterone receptors by immunohistochemistry were carried out in four patients with endometrial lesions that did not respond to the administration of progestins, and results were correlated with the presence of c-erbB2 over-expression.

Results

The presence of c-erbB2 over-expression in the endometrium was associated with a lack of response to progesterone even in the presence of receptors for this hormone.

Conclusion

The presence of c-erbB2 over-expression in the endometrium may be an early event in the development of some forms of atypical complex hyperplasia or carcinoma that may not regress with progesterone treatment.