Specific androgen receptors were assayed from the cytosol fraction of laryngeal carcinomas from 15 male patients. Specimens also included the non-malignant laryngeal tissues from 3 of these patients. A specific radioligand was used and involved (3H) dihydrotestosterone incubation and a dextran-coated charcoal technique. Twelve of the laryngeal carcinomas showed detectable levels of high affinity but limited capacity androgen receptors. The number of binding sites varied from zero to 23.3 fmol/mg cytosol protein, with the dissociation coefficient (Kd) ranging from 0.46 to 1.85 x 10(-9) M. Androgen receptors were also found in all three non-malignant laryngeal tissues. Binding sites for these latter androgen receptors were 4.09 to 8.16 fmol/mg cytosol protein, with a Kd of 0.81 to 0.35 x 10(-9) M. Although further studies are necessary, the presence of androgen receptors in laryngeal carcinomas suggests that antiandrogen therapy might be used in the future for treating such disease.