a test that must be done on cancerous tissue to find out if a breast cancer is hormone-dependent and may be treated with hormone therapy.
A test done of a breast cancer tissue specimen to determine if it is dependent on female hormones for growth.
A test that shows whether a breast cancer depends on progesterone for growth. Progesterone receptors are tested along with estrogen receptors for more complete information on the hormone sensitivity of a cancer, and how best to treat it. ( See also estrogen receptor.)