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The levels of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone and glucocorticoids were assayed in tumor tissues from 41 patients with benign breast tumors. Histologically, 21 tumors were identified as fibroadenomas of various types, 14--as fibrous-cystic non-proliferative mastopathy and 6--proliferative mastopathy. Tumor tissue contained estradiol receptors in 51% of cases, all three types of receptors--in 7% and none of the receptors was found in 29% of tumors. The levels of estrogen and glucocorticoids in cases of benign tumors were lower than those in cancer patients. However, in proliferative fibrous-cystic mastopathy group, estrogen receptor level was higher than in the other two groups.

Levels of cAMP and cGMP were higher in breast cancer tissue as compared with benign tumors. Large-fraction irradiation was followed by a decrease in cGMP concentration matched by a rise in cAMP/cGMP ratio in cases of radiosensitive tumors. Small-fraction treatment did not affect cyclic nucleotide levels. Radiotherapy was followed by a decrease in initially raised blood plasma cyclic nucleotide concentration.