hormone receptor negative

Definition of hormone receptor negative

hormone receptor negative (HOR-mone reh-SEP-ter NEH-guh-tiv): Describes cells that do not have a group of proteins that bind to a specific hormone. For example, some breast cancer cells do not have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone. These cells are hormone receptor negative and they do not need estrogen or progesterone to grow. This can affect how the cancer is treated. Knowing if the cancer is hormone receptor negative may help plan treatment.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms