<b>Tests done for hormone receptors are usually done on paraffin block tumor.</b>

<b>Tests for Estrogen and Progestogen Receptors </b>could be done if the tumor is Uterine or female genital [vulval, vaginal, ovarian] LMS. Androgen Receptors if the tumor is male genital LMS. 
If the tumor cells have sex hormone receptor sites, giving the sex hormone might very well stimulate tumor growth. Presence of these sites also makes possible the use of Anti-Hormone treatment which might control tumor growth. Anti-Hormone treatment, or "Hormonal Manipulation" is generally less toxic than standard LMS chemotherapy. Even LMS tumors that are NOT uterine can have estrogen or progestogen cell receptors, and might be sensitive to prevention of stimulation by these hormones.
 
Progestogen and estrogen receptor tests are also tests done with 'stains'; they are 'dye' tests. Often tests done on tumors have a 20% cut-off point, so they are read as negative, even if 19% of the cells respond positively. So sometimes even if the test is read as negative you might have benefit from hormone directed therapy. You might ask your friendly pathologist to review the original test slides and see if there is ANY staining? Or if it is possible, have a PCR or probe type test done on the tumor for estrogen and progestogen receptors.    

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