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hormone receptor positive

(HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter PAH-zih-tiv)
Describes cells that have a group of proteins that bind to a specific hormone. For example, some breast cancer cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone. These cells are hormone receptor positive and they need estrogen or progesterone to grow. This can affect how the cancer is treated. Knowing if the cancer is hormone receptor positive may help plan treatment.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms