The objective of this study was to determine the presence of oestrogen and/or progesterone receptors in laryngeal pyogenic granulomas and the impact of these receptors on recurrence of pyogenic granulomas.

Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent microlaryngoscopy and removal of pyogenic granulomas were studied retrospectively. The indications for surgery were airway compromise, failure of medical therapy and suspicion of malignancy. Twelve of these patients’ granulomas were analysed for oestrogen and progesterone receptors.

Charts were analysed for age, sex, location of the lesion, history of trauma, intubation or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), airway symptoms and recurrence. Oestrogen/progesterone receptors were analysed following deparaffinization of specimens and immunostaining with prediluted anti-oestrogen receptor monoclonal antibody and anti-progesterone receptor monoclonal antibody.

No sample expressed oestrogen or progesterone receptors. There were too few recurrences to detect if lack of these receptors played any role in determining outcome in this group. Most of the patients had a history of GORD, intubation or laryngeal surgery. There were 12 recurrences in four patients. All of the recurrences improved on prolonged courses of omeprazole.

Pyogenic granulomas do not possess oestrogen or progesterone receptors and are unlikely to respond to hormonal therapy. Patients who have, or are being operated on for, laryngeal pyogenic granulomas should be placed on proton pump inhibitors to decrease the likelihood of recurrence.