Antimüllerian hormone as a serum marker of granulosa cell tumorsof the ovary: comparative study with serum alpha-inhibin and estradiol.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate serum antimüllerian hormone as a marker for granulosa cell tumors.


METHODS
Serum antimüllerian hormone concentrations were determined in 16 patients with an adult-type granulosa cell tumor; in female patients with ovarian adenocarcinoma, benign ovarian cysts, or extraovarian cancers; and in normal premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Serum antimüllerian hormone, alpha-inhibin, and estradiol levels were compared in 10 patients with a granulosa cell tumor during 6 to 47 months of follow-up.


RESULTS
Serum antimüllerian hormone was undetectable in normal postmenopausal women and was <5 micrograms/L in premenopausal women. Normal serum levels were found in patients with ovarian cancers or cysts or with extraovarian cancers. Levels were between 6.8 and 117.9 microg/L in eight of nine patients with a progressive granulosa cell tumor. In the remaining case antimüllerian hormone, alpha-inhibin and estradiol concentrations were normal. Serum antimüllerian hormone and alpha-inhibin levels became elevated at least 11 months before the recurrence was clinically detectable. During clinical remission serum antimullerian hormone, beta-inhibin, and estradiol were normal in most cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum antimüllerian hormone is a sensitive, specific, reliable marker of adult-type granulosa cell tumors and is useful to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and to detect recurrences early.
Rey
R A
RA
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montrouge, France.
Lhommé
C
C
Marcillac
I
I
Lahlou
N
N
Duvillard
P
P
Josso
N
N
Bidart
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006106:Granulosa Cell Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D010455:Peptides; D013735:Testicular Hormones; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone