title: Detection of epithelial carcinoma cells in the blood of patients with gynaecological malignancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some investigations have shown that evidence of epithelial tumor cells in bone marrow is a relevant prognostic factor in various solid tumors. However there is a lack of data concerning the value of detection methods for epithelial cells in the serum of cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study we investigated the blood samples of patients with benign and malignant gynaecological diseases from November 1997 to March 1999. We used an immunocytochemical approach with cytokeratin-directed antibodies CK 8-18 in 135 and A45-13/133 in another 123 patients for detection of epithelial cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant correlation between the detection rate and tumour stage, grading or lymph node status. The CK8-18 antibody had a higher detection rate for epithelial cells than A45-B/B3 (52% vs. 10%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both methods showed a low sensitivity and a high specificity. Further studies are needed to determine the prognostic value of epithelial cells in the blood of patients with gynaecological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Humboldt University, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. sehouli@aol-com
authors.forename: Jalid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sehouli
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Könsgen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nimpsch
authors.forename: Gülten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oskay
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stengel
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oertel
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lichtenegger
authors.forename: Alexandru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mustea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins