The association between progesterone receptor expression and survival in women with adult granulosa cell tumors

Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) variably express estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). The goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between ER and PR expression patterns and clinical outcomes in women with GCT. A multicenter, retrospective analysis was performed of all cases of GCT diagnosed between 1989 and 2012. Immunohistochemical staining for ER and PR was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue and interpreted using a semiquantitative scoring system that incorporated tumor cell staining proportion and intensity. Demographics, disease status, and survival information were collected. Associations between ER and PR staining scores and recurrence-free and overall survival were assessed using univariate Cox proportional hazards models. FFPE tumor blocks were available for 149/186 GCT patients. The majority of the women had clinical stage I disease (76%). ER and PR expression was present in 52% and 98% of subjects, respectively. The median composite scores of ER and PR staining were 1 (range 0–8) and 9 (range 0–15), respectively. In univariate analysis, PR composite score >9 was strongly associated with decreased recurrence-free survival (HR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.5–5.5) and decreased overall survival (HR = 3.7, CI 1.3–10.2). ER composite score was not a significant predictor of recurrence-free survival or overall survival (p = 0.7, HR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.6–2.0 and p = 0.06, HR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.4–2.9, respectively). Our results reveal that high PR composite score (≥9) was associated with both decreased recurrence-free and overall survival in patients with GCT while ER expression was not associated with survival outcomes. •ER and PR expression was present in most granulosa cell tumors (GCT).•High PR composite score (≥9) was associated with both decreased recurrence-free and overall survival in GCT.•PR tumor expression was more likely in patients with diabetes.