Granulosa cell tumors of the ovary: the clinical value of serum inhibin A and B levels in a large single center cohort.
OBJECTIVE
In patients with a granulosa cell tumor of the ovary, the value of serum inhibin A and B concentrations for the assessment of disease status was investigated.


METHODS
In 30 consecutive patients with a stage I-III granulosa cell tumor, inhibin A and B concentrations were measured in pre- and post-treatment serum samples. Clinical data concerning diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of these patients were related to serum inhibin A and B concentrations. Serum samples from 41 premenopausal females with cervical dysplasia served as controls.


RESULTS
In 30 patients, 13 (43%) recurrences were observed during a median follow-up of 10 years (range 1-31 years). Serum inhibin A and B concentrations were elevated in respectively 67% and 89% of the patients at diagnosis, and in 58% and 85% at recurrence. Inhibin A and B concentrations were normal in all controls. Sensitivity of inhibin A testing for the diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor was 67% with a specificity of 100%, compared to 89% and 100% respectively for inhibin B (ns). Elevations in serum inhibin B concentrations predated recurrences by a median of 11 months. None of the patients in remission showed increased concentrations of inhibin A and B.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibin B seems to be the predominant form of inhibin secreted by granulosa cell tumors and appears to reflect disease status more accurately than inhibin A. Measurement of serum inhibin B concentrations may be preferred for the follow-up of granulosa cell tumors.
Mom
C H
CH
University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Oncology, PO Box 30 001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. c.h.mom@int.umcg.nl
Engelen
M J A
MJ
Willemse
P H B
PH
Gietema
J A
JA
ten Hoor
K A
KA
de Vries
E G E
EG
van der Zee
A G J
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006106:Granulosa Cell Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000097:blood
C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins