Immunohistochemical and molecular studies on malignant transformation in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To determine a useful tumor marker for detecting squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dermoid cyst, and to find the molecular pathogenesis of this condition.


METHODS
In 4 cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dermoid cyst and 22 cases of dermoid cyst, we studied tissue expressions and serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), CA 19-9 and CA 125, and the mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene.


RESULTS
Three of 4 malignant cases had either positive SCC expressions or elevated serum SCC levels. The mean serum SCC level in benign cases was below the cut-off level. CA 19-9 and CA 125 were not detected in squamous cell carcinoma. p53 overexpressions were observed in all malignancies.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that the serum SCC might be a useful marker for detecting squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dermoid cyst, and that the mutation of p53 might be one of the genetic events in the malignant transformation of a dermoid cyst.
Yoshioka
T
T
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tanaka
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D015843:Serpins; D013724:Teratoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen