title: Intracystic evaluation of tumor markers in benign and malignant ovarian pathology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate, in patients with benign and malignant ovarian cysts, serum samples and ovarian intracystic fluids for the presence of tumor markers such as CA 125, CA 15.3, tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), CA 19.9 and the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied overall 64 patients with ovarian pathology. Sixteen patients were affected by functional cysts, 28 women by benign cystic tumors and 20 by cystoadenocarcinomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average serum levels of all but CA 15.3, TPA and CEA tumor markers of benign cystic ovarian tumors were higher than those of functional cysts. All but CA 19.9 mean intracystic fluid markers levels were more elevated in benign tumors than in functional cysts. In patients with malignant cystic tumors, all but CEA mean serum marker levels were higher than those of benign tumors; furthermore even all mean intracystic levels of markers were more elevated than those of benign tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed the high positivity of tumor markers such as CA 125, CA 15.3, TPA, CA 19.9 and CEA in both the serum and intracystic fluid of patients with malignant epithelial ovarian tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Cherchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ambrosini
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fadda
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Piga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruiu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fattorini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dessole
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor