Term: androgen receptor negative

Pronunciation: (AN-droh-jen reh-SEP-ter NEH-guh-tiv)

Description:

Describes cells that do not have a protein that binds to androgens (male hormones). Cancer cells that are androgen receptor negative do not need androgens to grow. This means that they will keep growing when androgens are not present and do not stop growing when treatments that block androgens in the body are used. This can affect how the cancer is treated. Also called AR negative.