Papillary thyroid carcinoma occurs more frequently among women of reproductive age, who additionally make up the best prognostic group. The obtained data suggest a relation between estrogen and papillary carcinoma. Direct proliferative effect of estrogen on papillary carcinoma cells has already been proven in vitro, and seems to be mediated by estrogen receptors (ER). The biological importance of ER beta (ER β) remains unclear, but recent research point to its possible prodifferentiative and antiproliferative role. This study has examined the immunohistochemical expression of ER beta in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Specimen from 104 patients with papillary carcinoma has been obtained. The data on age, sex, tumor size and histological subtype, presence of benign thyroid disease, lymphocytic infiltrate, lymph node metastases, and intraglandular dissemination were obtained from patient records and pathology reports. The aforementioned parameters were compared with immunohistochemical reaction to ER β. The expression of ER β was present in both nuclei and cytoplasms of carcinoma cells. Nuclear positivity was more expressed in women younger than 50 years, and cytoplasmic positivity was more expressed in patients older than 50, irrespective of sex. The conclusion is that ER beta expression in papillary carcinoma is related with age and menopausal status in women, which suggests its possible prognostic relevance. Consequently, further investigations should be made.