title: Alpha-lactalbumin in "common" epithelial tumors of the ovary. An immunohistochemical study.
abstract: Alpha-lactalbumin (AL) has been widely used as an immunohistochemical marker for mammary carcinoma. The authors have investigated the AL reactivity of 36 unselected ovarian epithelial neoplasms using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunoperoxidase technic. In eight serous cystadenocarcinomas, both the primary neoplasm and its metastases were examined. Of the 36 tumors, 7 (19.4%) showed positive staining for AL and 5 were of the serous type. The serous tumors showed moderate to strong staining reaction. Three serous cystadenocarcinomas were AL positive in both primary and metastatic sites, while the remaining five were negative in all sites. One mucinous cystadenoma and one clear cell carcinoma showed weak to moderately positive AL reactivity. There was no good correlation between AL positivity and the presence of malignancy or between AL positivity and tumor grade. In view of the relatively high AL reactivity in ovarian neoplasms, it is advisable to exercise caution in interpreting the presence of AL positivity as specific marker for mammary carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007768:Lactalbumin