Estroe‐3‐Sulfate in Human Breast Cyst Fluid a

Gross cystic disease of the breast (GCD) is reportedly associated with a higher risk for the development of breast cancer. Biochemical evaluation of breast cyst fluid (BCF) may be considered a useful tool to better assess patients who have macrocysts. Electrolyte composition, in particular, has generally been accepted as a useful tool to identify different subsets of cysts. Type I cysts have high K+ and low Na+ concentrations, whereas type I1 cysts have low K+ and high Na+ concentration^.^^^ In BCF samples, high amounts of androgen and estrogen sulfates have also been identified.214-5 As far as androgens are concerned, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) reportedly accumulates up to concentrations a hundred-fold higher than plasma. Different concentrations of DHAS were found in the two main subsets of cysts, according to the cationic c at tern.^ Besides androgen sulfates, sulfo-conjugated estrogens also tend to accumulate in BCF. We studied the estrone sulfate (EIS) content of BCF to search for a possible relationship with DHAS and the cationic pattern.