Steroid receptors in surgical pathology. With special reference to small mammographically detected breast lesions.

The cellular receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and other steroid hormones appear in the cytosol fraction of homogenated specimens of hormonal target tissues. These receptors have traditionally been detected and quantitated by biochemical techniques that involve binding tritium-labelled marker steroids to the receptor proteins. An important recent development has been the creation of various monoclonal antibody reagents that specifically recognize antigenic determinants on receptor molecules.