Higher levels of soluble E-cadherin in cyst fluid from malignant ovarian tumours than in benign cysts.
A major diagnostic dilemma in the clinical gynaecological oncology setting is to preoperatively determine whether a complex ovarian mass is benign or malignant. The cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin has previously been localised in biopsies from both benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumours. In this study, soluble E-cadherin levels was measured with ELISA-technique in peripheral blood, ascites and cystic fluids from patients (n = 33) undergoing surgery for ovarian cystic masses. The levels of soluble E-cadherin were significantly higher in cystic fluid from cystadenocarcinomas (p < 0.001) and borderline tumours (p < 0.05) as compared to cystic fluid from cystadenomas. In ascites fluid and peripheral blood no significant differences were seen. However, ratios of cystic fluid/peripheral blood levels were significantly higher in cystadenocarcinoma (p < 0.001) and borderline tumours (p < 0.05) as compared to benign tumours. In conclusion, measurements of soluble E-cadherin in cystic fluid from patients presenting with complex ovarian masses may be beneficial in increasing the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.
Sundfeldt
K
K
Department of Physiology, University of Göteborg, Box 434, S-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. karin.sundfeldt@fysiologi.gu.se
Ivarsson
K
K
Rask
K
K
Haeger
M
M
Hedin
L
L
Brännström
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020420:Cyst Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins