EGF IN BREAST CYST FLUID - RELATIONSHIPS WITH INTRACYSTIC ANDROGENS, ESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE

The relationship between intracystic levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and those of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), DELTA-4-androstenedione (DELTA-4-A), 17-beta-estradiol (17-beta-E) and progesterone (PROG) have been studied in 77 breast cyst fluid (BCF) samples. EGF and all tested hormones appeared to be inversely correlated with the intracystic Na+/K+ ratio (p < 0.001). Consequently, when the BCFs were subdivided according to the Na+/K+ ratio, significantly higher levels of EGF, DHEA-S, DELTA-4-A, 17-beta-E and PROG were found in Na+/K+ < 3 BCFs compared with Na+/K+ > 3 BCFs (p < 0.001 in all cases). Strong direct relationships were found among all steroid hormones when they were correlated to one another (p < 0.001). Intracystic EGF concentration was directly and significantly correlated with each tested hormone (p < 0.001). However, the relationship between EGF and steroid hormones appeared to be different in the 2 BCF types (Na+/K+ < 3 or > 3).